Which rodent species is the Norway rat?

• A. Roof rat
• B. House mouse
• C. Norway rat
• D. Fruit rat

Answer: (C)

The name Norway rat identifies a specific rodent species, so recognizing that term is about knowing which animal it refers to. The Norway rat, also called the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), is a large, robust rodent with coarse brown fur and a blunt snout. It typically has a relatively short tail compared with its body and is often found in basements, sewers, and ground-level spaces. This combination of size, build, and habitat sets it apart from the roof rat, which is smaller, more slender, and has a longer tail that often exceeds its body length and tends to occupy higher areas; and from the house mouse, which is even smaller with proportionally large ears. The term “Norway rat” therefore correctly identifies that large brown rat.