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Rats followed us all over the world, but where are they from?
Science Magazine
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Apr 9, 2026
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7:08
Rats followed us all over the world, but where are they from?
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Executive Summary
Brown rats are believed to have originated in Northeast Asia, with their global spread largely facilitated by maritime trade routes, particularly during the 18th century.
Studying the historical dispersal of rats is challenging due to their burrowing nature, but new techniques like ZooMS and the analysis of shipwreck remains are providing clearer insights.
Rats exhibit rapid adaptation to urban environments, with evidence showing changes in diet (more protein), metabolism, and even skull morphology in city-dwelling populations.
Due to their rapid reproduction, adaptability, and the effects of climate change, brown rat populations are expected to become an even more significant feature of urban ecosystems in the future.
Continue your research
Keep pulling the thread on Northeast Asia.
The Origin and Global Dispersal of Brown Rats
Urban Adaptation and Rapid Evolution
Methodological Innovation in Historical Ecology
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