Rattus norvegicus, also called the Norway rat or brown rat — doesn’t hibernate in winter but does become less active when the weather is freezing for prolonged periods.

New York rats are primarily Norway (or brown) rats. Their ancestors lived in the wild in northern China and Mongolia, were established in parts of Europe by 1500, and then followed Europeans ...

“In the wild, with food, water and shelter rats can live up to three years with a lot of luck. The Black rat lives up to a year and the Brown rat lives up to two years. Some can outlive the ...

Jason Munshi-South, a Drexel University ecology professor who has researched New York City’s rats, said those that are already holed up in subway tunnels, sewers, crawlspaces or other nooks can ...