Norway rats are an introduced commensal species in New Hampshire, and NatureServe’s SNA rank, not applicable, reflects that introduced species don’t receive a state conservation status. The 40 records here, concentrated near the Lakes Region and local wildlife management areas, more likely trace back to human structures and food sources in those areas than to any real preference for lakes and woods.
Records peak sharply in September and November, seven and eight sightings respectively, together accounting for more than a third of the state’s total, a pattern that plausibly reflects rats moving toward shelter as temperatures drop and becoming more visible near buildings rather than any true population surge.
Full species profile
