Order

Rodentia

Family

Muridae

Sub Family

Murinae

Genus

Rattus

Specie

Norvegicus

Size

22-26cm

Weight

5-6 grams (birth), 250 - 500 grams (adult)

Body temperature

99.5-100.8F

Heart rate

250-450 beats per minute

Respiratory rate

70-115 per minute

Adult food consumption

10-15 grams per day

Adult water consumption

10-12 ml per day

Chromosomes

42

Gestation period

21 days

Captive lifespan

2-2.5 years although 4 years has been known