Stomach contents of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, found on a pile of rubbish in the tsunami disaster region of eastern Japan

Abstract

We investigated the diet of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, in piles of rubbish in the tsunami disaster region of eastern Japan over two years after the event. We found gastropods, earthworms, and plant matter in the stomach contents of rats, which were caught on banks along a stream in a pile of rubbish in Miyagi Prefecture. We conclude that moist areas including streams in such piles supply the rats with habitats.