Common Rat

• Large rodent which can measure up to 40cm in length (including the tail).
• Fur colour can vary but is generally dull grey in colour.
• Rats are omnivorous and whilst they generally feed on cereals and grains, if hungry they can take small chicks and eggs.
• One of the main characteristics of Rats is that they are
  Neophobic - very wary of anything new and they can take 4-5 days before they accept a new object into their environment.
• They prefer small-enclosed spaces and get around by smell and touch. They like to be up against something as they travel like a wall or pipe.
• Contrary to popular beliefs regarding Rats being dirty they are in fact very clean animals and spend up to 20% of their time grooming.
• They are however carriers of a number of diseases, the most publicised of which is Weil's Disease which can be fatal to humans.
• Rats take between 2-3 months to reach sexual maturity and can have up to 7 litters per year with the average litter size being about 8.
• The other UK rat is the Ship Rat or Black Rat which is now very rare and restricted to a few localised port sites.
  

Grey Squirrel

• Although now a familiar sight across much of the UK, the grey squirrel is non native, having been first introduced from America in the late nineteenth century.
• It is largely blamed for the decline in populations of our native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) although in
  truth, this also has as much to do with the disappearance of the red squirrels natural woodland habitat, as it does with competition.
• The introduced species is larger than the red squirrel, with
  largely grey/brown fur, and a white belly.
• Grey squirrels are active during the day and are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, insects, bird eggs and increasingly adapting to match many of the foods that man may discard.
• Squirrels are well-known for their habit of hoarding food in autumn to see them through the harsh winter months.
• The gestation period is typically between 6 to 7 weeks and on average two litters are produced each year, consisting of 1-8 young.
• The average lifespan is 8-9 years.

House Mouse

• Small rodent with grey/brown fur usually less than 90mm in total length and weighing less than 20 grams.
• Colour is generally uniformed with the belly being slightly lighter and the tail typically about 75% of the length of the body.
• Mice are omnivorous and are good at adapting to local environments but generally in rural environments eat cereals, seeds etc, where they consume an average of 2-3 grams of food per day.
• Whilst they will drink free water they can in many cases survive without it, obtaining sufficient moisture from their food.
• Mice will typically live up to 1 year, reach sexual maturity in 6 weeks and can have as many as 8 litters per annum with the
  average litter size being about 5.
  

Mole

• Moles are a common British mammal living almost exclusively underground, although they are capable of moving above ground and even swimming.
• As well as a means of transportation, the main purpose of the tunnel network is a trap for worms and other
  invertebrates to fall into.
• The mole rarely exceeds 20cm in length (including short tail) and has a very smooth dark fur which can flex in both directions.
• With very poor eye-sight, the mole navigates and finds food largely by picking up vibrations.
• Moles are typically solitary, and both sexes defend their territories vigorously, often coming together just to mate.
• Moles will often have just one litter per year, consisting of up to 7 young.
• The young are suckled for about a month and leave the nest after about 5 weeks.

Rabbit

• The rabbit was thought to have been introduced to Britain by the Normans, although early remains show that some may date back to Roman times.
• The rabbit is now found across almost all of Western Europe. Each individual can grow up to 40 cm in length.
• Rabbits are distinguished from the Hare by size (the Hare is bigger), and the rabbit has a white tail when running, smaller hind legs and lacks the characteristic black tips found on the
  hare’s ears.
• Rabbits can reach sexual maturity in 2-3 months and have a gestation period of just 28 days.
• Up to 5 litters per year are possible with the average litter size being about 5.