Origin
Rattus rattus is native to India. Roof rats have been introduced worldwide through natural dispersal events (e.g., swimming) and man-made dispersal events on transportation vehicles.

Life Cycle
These rats vary in coloration from complete black to gray-brown with a cream-white belly. The tail is longer than the length of the body and their large ears are hairless. R. rattus reach sexual maturity at 3-4 months of age. Female roof rats can have litters of 3-10 pups with the frequency between litters dependent on food availability and season. Gestation is 20-22 days with weaning another 21-28 days.

Distribution
R. rattus are found worldwide.

Control Efforts
R. rattus are omnivorous have been linked directly and indirectly to the extinction of various species. Roof rats are known to carry diseases.

http://issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=19&fr=1&sts=
http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=19
 

Resources

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• Florida's Exotic Wildlife Species Detail - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
• Wikipedia - Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
• Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Selected Images

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Maps

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Invasive Listing Sources

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• Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
• Florida Invasive Species Partnership
• Minnesota DNR invasive species list
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems

References

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Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.

Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.