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Rattus tanezumi
Basic stats
Diet
Grain, seeds, food waste, invertebrates
Habitat
Villages, plantations, forest edge
Range
Widespread across Asia, including Borneo
Litter size
4–8 young (typical for Rattus)
Gestation period
About 21–23 days (typical for Rattus)
Size
Medium (head-body 15–22cm)
Weight
80–250g
A close relative of the black rat, closely tied to human habitation across much of Asia and now considered a distinct species from its long-time taxonomic companion.
Nocturnal and highly commensal, foraging around villages and plantations rather than in intact forest. Field separation from the closely related black rat generally requires genetic or detailed morphological comparison.
