Territorial behavior (VIDEO)

Frontiers

Caption

Despite the common stereo-types of the most 'visible' rats in public, individual rats behave quite differently. Here an alpha-male defends his territory against pigeons and House sparrows. Rats rarely defend territories against humans, but some particularly bold rats in NYC have been known to abscond with pizza (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPXUG8q4jKU) and taking selfies with sleeping tourists (https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/784272/say-cheese-cheeky-rat-takes-a-selfie-on-sleeping-tourist/ ).

Credit

Michael H. Parsons

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.