Habitat selection and burrow construction by wild Rattus norvegicus in a landfill.

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Abstract
A portion of a large sanitary landfill [in New Jersey, USA] that had recently harbored a population of wild R. norvegicus was examined for signs of rat activity. All sites of digging activity by rats were excavated, and detailed measures on 36 chambered burrows were recorded. Rats selected burrow sites that minimized the travel distance to the major food source and a permanent water supply. They also invariably chose to dig burrows on sloping terrain and exhibited a strong preference for constructing burrows in loose soil that was easy to dig.

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