Contrary to popular beliefs, myths legends and downright non truths, there are only two species of rats in Spain. The black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). In Spain, there is no such thing as a house rat, water rat, sewer rat, tree rat, olive rat, golf-course rat or mountain rat. Its a brown rat or a black rat! 🙂

Rats are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can find, including human rubbish, fruits, vegetables, and even other small animals.

In addition to being thought of as a nuisance, rats can sometimes carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, making them a public health concern. It is important to take steps to prevent infestations, such as keeping food stored in tightly sealed containers and maintaining a clean living environment. Other wise both species of rats in Spain make up an important part of the ecosystem and habitat.

The black rat (Rattus rattus)

Black rats are found primarily in the coastal regions of Spain, particularly in areas with warmer climates. black rats are also commonly referred to as “ship rats” because they are believed to have been spread around the world on ships during the “Age of Exploration”.

Black rats are also known to have played a role in the spread of the bubonic plague, which was a devastating pandemic that occurred during the 14th century. The disease was caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, which was carried by fleas that infested rats. Black rats were one of the primary carriers of these fleas, and their populations exploded in urban areas during the pandemic, contributing to the rapid spread of the disease.

However, it’s worth noting that while black rats were certainly involved in the spread of the plague, they were not the only species involved, and the exact role they played is still a matter of great debate among historians and scientists.

• Habitat: Black rats are originally from tropical Asia but have been introduced to many parts of the world, including Spain. In Spain, they are found primarily in coastal regions, particularly in areas with warm climates. They are agile climbers and are often found in and around buildings, in gardens, and in agricultural areas.
• Appearance: Black rats are smaller than brown rats and have sleek, black fur with a lighter underside. They have large ears and a long, pointed tail that is longer than their body.
• Diet: Black rats are omnivores and will eat a variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet may include fruits, vegetables, seeds, insects, and small animals like mice and birds.
• Behavior: Black rats are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are social animals and live in groups called colonies. They are good climbers and can often be found climbing walls and trees. They can also swim and are sometimes found near water sources.
• Reproduction: Female black rats can have up to six litters per year, with each litter consisting of 6-8 young. The young are born blind and hairless and are completely dependent on their mother for several weeks.
• Conservation status: Black rats are considered a non-native invasive species in many parts of the world, including Spain. They can cause damage to crops and buildings, and can also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals. As a result, they are often considered a pest and efforts are made to control their populations. However, they are not currently considered a threatened species.

The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Brown rats can be found throughout the iberian peninsular including coastal regions but there is no evidence of any interbreeding or hybridization betweent the two species where their distribution overlaps.

• Habitat: Brown rats are found throughout much of Spain. They are adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats, including urban, suburban, and rural areas. They are often found in and around buildings, in sewers and drains, and near garbage dumps and other sources of food.
• Appearance: Brown rats are larger than black rats and have brown or grayish-brown fur with a lighter underside. They have a blunt, rounded snout and a shorter, thicker tail than black rats.
• Diet: Brown rats are omnivores and will eat just about anything, including grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and even other rats. They are known to hoard food, storing it in their nests or burrows for later.
• Behavior: Brown rats are primarily nocturnal but may also be active during the day. They are social animals and live in groups called colonies. They are good climbers and can often be found climbing walls and trees. They are also good swimmers and can swim for long distances.
• Reproduction: Female brown rats can have up to seven litters per year, with each litter consisting of 7-14 young. The young are born blind and hairless and are completely dependent on their mother for several weeks.
• Conservation status: Brown rats are not considered a threatened species and are actually one of the most successful mammalian species on the planet, with populations found throughout much of the world. However, they are considered a pest in many areas and efforts are made to control their populations in urban and suburban areas. They can also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals, making them a public health concern.

Here’s a comparison between black rats and brown rats to help with identification

Appearance

• Black rats have sleek black fur, a lighter underside, and a long, pointed tail that is longer than their body.
• Brown rats have brown or grayish-brown fur, a lighter underside, and a shorter, thicker tail than black rats.

Size

• Black rats are smaller than brown rats, with an average length of 16-24 cm (6-9 inches) and a weight of 75-230 grams (2.5-8 ounces).
• Brown rats are larger than black rats, with an average length of 20-27 cm (8-11 inches) and a weight of 140-500 grams (5-18 ounces).

Habitat

• Black rats are found primarily in coastal regions of Spain, particularly in areas with warmer climates.
• Brown rats are found throughout much of Spain and can thrive in a variety of habitats, including urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Behavior

• Black rats are agile climbers and are often found in and around buildings, in gardens, and in agricultural areas.
• Brown rats are also good climbers and can be found in similar habitats as black rats, but are more likely to be found in sewers, drains and near rubbish dumps.

Diet

• Both black and brown rats are omnivores and will eat just about anything they can find, including fruits, vegetables, and even other small animals like mice and birds.

Reproduction

• Both black and brown rats can have multiple litters per year, with each litter consisting of several young that are born blind and hairless.

It’s worth noting that black and brown rats can sometimes be difficult to tell apart, especially in areas where their ranges overlap. However, some of the above key differences in appearance and habitat can help with identification.

Further reading

Wikipedia has an interesting article about black rats: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_rat

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clive

I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.