| Black rat Temporal range: Holocene
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|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Rattus |
| Species: | R. rattus
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| Binomial name | |
| Rattus rattus | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Mus rattus Linnaeus, 1758 | |
The black rat (Rattus rattus), also known as the roof rat, ship rat, or house rat, is a common long-tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus Rattus, in the subfamily Murinae.[1] It likely originated in the Indian subcontinent, but is now found worldwide.[2]
The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it feeds on a wide range of agricultural crops. It is sometimes kept as a pet. In parts of India, it is considered sacred and respected in the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke.
- ^ a b Kryštufek, B.; Palomo, L.; Hutterer, R.; Mitsainas, G.; Yigit, N. (2021). "Rattus rattus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T19360A192565917. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T19360A192565917.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Baig, M.; Khan, S.; Eager, H.; Atkulwar, A. & Searle, J. B. (2019). "Phylogeography of the black rat Rattus rattus in India and the implications for its dispersal history in Eurasia". Biological Invasions. 21 (2): 417–433. Bibcode:2019BiInv..21..417B. doi:10.1007/s10530-018-1830-0. S2CID 67790305.