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Habitat preferences and distribution of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in the city of Salzburg (Austria): implications for an urban rat management

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Abstract

The population of Rattus norvegicus was assessed using live traps and hair sampling tubes in 71 discrete patches distributed in the urban area of the city of Salzburg, Austria. R. norvegicus occurred in 35% of the examined habitats and reached a maximum density of 113.12 individuals/km along water banks. The occurrence of rats was strongly influenced by vegetation, habitat modification and man-made impact in the area. The results of this study could be used to support the development of a new, more scientifically based rat management plan in cooperation with the city of Salzburg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, 5020, Salzburg, Austria

    Doris Traweger, Rita Travnitzky, Cornelia Moser & Guenther Bernatzky

  2. 225 Seaton Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5A 2T5

    Doris Traweger

  3. Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1100, Vienna, Austria

    Christian Walzer

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  1. Doris Traweger
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  2. Rita Travnitzky
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  3. Cornelia Moser
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  4. Christian Walzer
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  5. Guenther Bernatzky
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Correspondence to Doris Traweger.

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Communicated by Jürgen Gross

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Traweger, D., Travnitzky, R., Moser, C. et al. Habitat preferences and distribution of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in the city of Salzburg (Austria): implications for an urban rat management. J Pest Sci 79, 113–125 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-006-0123-z

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