Brown rat population dynamics?

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by always_pleases

Hello all again
Thanks for your help, I'll check to see if that handbook is in the library.
I proberly end up posting more questions as I'm struggling to find any research at the moment .

Feel free to post AP, it's what we're here for! You've had good advice so far

[shirl]

Hi there

All I know is every winter the little sods move into the loft in fact there is one right above my head as I am writing this from the study. I think I know how they are getting in now - been following the footprints in the snow so it's an all out effort to stop them coming back . I did read that although rats breed fast , only about 10% survive. I know at least 2 healthy juveniles survived last year so there must be more.

Shirl

[always_pleases]

I just wanted to say that I found the book and its fantastic, thank you very much, pity its only for reference but there always the photcopier!
I've just got to find out now for this task, if a brown rat was brought into a wildlife hospital, would it receive treatment and be released or is this illegal like in the case of gray spuirrels? I assuming it is, as their not the most popular of creatures.

[Nightranger]

Originally Posted by always_pleases

Hello all
I'm trying to find out the population dynamics for the brown rat (rattus norvegicus) in the wild. I've looked everywhere and I'm still nonethewiser, so I'd be very grateful if anyone could help me out in anyway shape or form.

Hi and welcome to WAB,

I cannot recall a recent monograph on brown rats but there is a popular science book currently out covering the brown rats of New York. I will try to remember to look up the full reference next time I am in my local library. I am pretty sure it does not cover population dynamics but being a current title it may be useful in back references to earlier works. I would be surprised if there has not been a title at some point and it may be worth calling the library at the RSPB (01767 680551) to ask if they can give you the details. I do not recall anything specifically on rats but my interest away from birds is Mustelids so I may not have noticed during my time working there.