Rat
Rat
Mammal
A highly adaptable rodent that has spread almost worldwide alongside people; a strong swimmer and quick learner that will eat almost anything.
Name Story
Rattus norvegicus
means “the 'Norwegian' rat — which is a mistake!”
What does its name mean?
- Rattus — ratLatin
- norvegicus — of Norway, Norwegian — but this is wrongLatin
The scientist who named it in 1769 thought it had sailed to Britain on Norwegian timber ships, so he called it 'the Norwegian rat'. In fact it came from the far side of Asia and never lived in Norway at all — but once a scientific name is fixed, it sticks, mistake and all.