Which description best matches the Norway rat?

• A. Long tail and slender snout
• B. Grey fur, small head and blunt muzzle
• C. Reddish-brown fur, small head and a blunt muzzle
• D. White fur with small ears

Answer: (C)

Understanding which physical description fits the Norway rat helps you identify it in the field. Norway rats are large, heavy-bodied with a blunt, wide snout and a head that looks relatively small compared to the body. Their fur is typically brownish to reddish-brown, not purely grey, which is a common clue used in pest-control references. The combination of a small head, blunt muzzle, and reddish-brown fur is the best match for the Norway rat.

The other descriptions point to different animals or color variants: a long tail with a slender snout suggests a different rat or rodent, white fur with small ears describes an albino-type lab rat or unrelated pest, and grey fur with a blunt muzzle can be less characteristic of the Norway rat in many field guides that emphasize the reddish-brown coloration.