Where do Norway rats usually nest?

• A. In burrows dug into the ground
• B. In water pipes and drains
• C. In trees
• D. In the ceilings of buildings

Answer: (A)

Norway rats are primarily ground-dwelling and seek concealed, protected spaces near food, so they most often nest in burrows dug into the ground. These underground nests give them cover, stable humidity, and multiple entrances for quick escapes, plus a convenient location near food sources around foundations, under buildings, decks, or in fields. While they can travel through pipes or use gaps inside structures, their preferred nesting choice is underground burrows. Trees are more typical of species that spend more time up in vegetation, and ceilings inside buildings are common nesting sites for other rats (like roof rats), not the heavy-bodied Norway rat that favors ground-level burrows.