Which of the following is characteristic of the Norway rat?

• A. Tail longer than head & body; large ears, pointed nose
• B. Tail shorter than head & body; small ears, blunt nose, small eyes
• C. Tail the same length as head & body; big eyes
• D. Tail prehensile; slender body

Answer: (B)

Norway rats are sturdy, heavy-bodied rodents with blunt snouts and relatively small ears and eyes. A defining identifying feature is that their tail is shorter than the length of the head and body, not as long as the body. The ears are small and not prominent, and the nose looks blunt rather than pointed. This combination sets them apart from roof rats, which tend to have tails that are as long as or longer than the body, along with larger ears and a more pointed nose. So the description that lists a tail shorter than the head-and-body length, plus small ears, a blunt nose, and small eyes, best matches the Norway rat.