Revisit your rodent knowledge

Editor’s Note: Questions for this month’s test were contributed by Dr. Faith Oi and Mark Sheperdigian, BCE. Want to know how you did? The answers are listed at the bottom of the page.

Building the best nests

The location of rat nests varies by species. For example, roof rats (Rattus rattus) prefer to live up off the ground, so they tend to build their nests in trees, attics, woodpiles, and overgrown vines and shrubs. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) prefer to build their nests at or under ground level, and in the lower levels of buildings.

Both rat species may have several nest sites. They may spend a week in their primary nest site, and then move for a day or two into an alternate nest site.

SOURCE: WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE

Answers to January Tech Test
1. d, 2. b, 3. True, 4. False, 5. a, 6. True, 7. c, 8. True, 9. a, 10. d