Black rat

1-3 years

Black rat is primarily an omnivore, relying heavily on plant matter and seeds. They also selectively feed on fruits, vegetables, and insects when available. Occasionally, black rat turns to human waste and small mammals, exhibiting an opportunistic feeding behavior.

16 - 22 cm

Black rat are small rodents with long, slender bodies measuring up to 20 cm with an additional tail length of 25 cm. Their sleek, dense fur is predominately black or dark grey. Bright eyes, large ears and the tail are hairless and noticeably darker. Unlike many species, there are no clear visual distinctions between genders or age groups.

Black rats are considered omnivores and eat a wide range of foods, including seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi, and a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. They are generalists, and thus not very specific in their food preferences, which is indicated by their tendency to feed on any meal provided for cows, swine, chickens, cats, and dogs. They are similar to the tree squirrel in their preference of fruits and nuts. They eat about 15 grams (0.53 oz) per day and drink about 15 millilitres (0.53 imp fl oz; 0.51 US fl oz) per day. Their diet is high in water content. They are a threat to many natural habitats because they feed on birds and insects. They are also a threat to many farmers, since they feed on a variety of agricultural-based crops, such as cereals, sugar cane, coconuts, cocoa, oranges, and coffee beans.