NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



inhabit New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the 

 Galapagos Islands. 



In Europe and South Africa the Black Rat is 

 bluish-black, but in Northern Africa, India and 

 other parts of the East, there are several local races 

 which vary in colour, one being brown above and 

 white below ; and another yellowish-brown or rufous. 

 These races have spines mingled with the fur on 

 the back. 



In India the Black Rat often climbs trees and 

 builds its nest amongst the branches. In some of 

 the Islands in the Tropics it lives in the crowns of 

 the coco-nut palms, feeding upon the fruit. In 

 Europe, America and Africa, its habits and diet 

 are similar to those of the Brown Rat. 



The Bubonic Plague fleas, which live in the fur 

 of Brown Rats, also infest the Black Rats, conse- 

 quently this rodent is also one of the agents in the 

 spreading of this terrible malady, for both the 

 Black and Brown Rats are equally susceptible to 

 infection. It is true the plague is more prevalent 

 amongst Brown Rats than the other species, but 

 this is due to the fact that the former harbour 

 twice as many fleas as the latter. 



The Black Rat in South Africa may be recognised 

 in the following ways : 



(i) Fur bluish-black, lighter on the under parts. 



(2) Length of head and body of adult 7 to 8 inches. 



(3) Tail thin and tapering, and longer than the 

 head and body. 



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