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 ...

For instance, brown rats (Norway rats) are relatively large, with bodies measuring between 7 to 10 inches (17.78 to 25.4 centimetres) and tails extending from 5 to 8 inches (12.7 to 20.32 ...

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 ...