Norway rats are introduced in Rhode Island and concentrate around buildings, working waterfronts, refuse, livestock feed, and other dependable food sources. Records from heavily visited coastal refuges such as Block Island, Ninigret, and Trustom Pond may reflect observer effort as much as habitat preference, so they should not be read as refuge-wide abundance estimates.
Sightings are possible year-round and peak from August through October in the current record set. Identification is best based on the heavy body, blunt muzzle, small ears, and a tail shorter than the head and body combined. Do not bait or handle rats, and report concerns around facilities to site staff.
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