A rat or what?

[Susan1]

In the garden today I saw an animal eating the food beneath the bird table. It was up to 20 cm long, plus a hairless tail of shorter/similar length. It was quite reddish brown, really cute and not very shy. The only thing I can think it could be is a brown rat, but it seemed to have more distinction between body and head, a bit like a squirrel (but not the tail) or even a small hedgehog (though it had only fur). I think rats are generally nocturnal and of a more greyish colour.

Has anyone any ideas? I wondered if it might be an escaped pet?

Susan

[diggleken]

Rats can be variable in colour, but this sounds like one, brown as you say - Rattus Norvegicus - they often gratefully feed under bird tables and particularly with cold weather are seen in the daytime.
Black rats are blacker than browns and quite a bit larger.
Hope this helps !
Ken

[demicav]

I thought Brown rats were the bigger of the two. I'm no expert though.

[natureguy]

Hi Susan
this sounds like a brown rat, as diggleken says they can vary in colour and certainly do come out in the day, they eat almost anything really as they're scavengers, including bird food so it makes sense it was under your bird table.
Welcome to WAB btw.

[Hedge Witch]

I have to agree it does sound like a brown rat to me.

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by demicav

I thought Brown rats were the bigger of the two. I'm no expert though.

Ooops, yes indeed - giot it the wrong way round in my haste - tea was due!
Thanks for correction.
Ken