Brown Rats Dominated North American Cities Earlier Than Thought

New research uncovers the rapid rise of brown rats over black rats by the mid-1700s, reshaping urban ecosystems.

New research reveals brown rats arrived in North America earlier than previously thought, establishing dominance over black rats by the mid-1700s.
Brown rats, larger and more aggressive than black rats, quickly became the predominant species in North American cities.
Differences in diet, particularly brown rats' preference for animal protein, may have contributed to their rapid dominance.
Historical shipwreck data and analysis of rodent bones from settlements provide evidence of brown rats in North America as early as 1731.
Understanding the historical spread and behavior of rats can inform current urban pest management strategies.