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Where did the Norway rat originate before spreading across Pacific islands?
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invasive species
Kudzu (Pueraria montana) along a roadside in southern Virginia, U.S.
The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the brown rat, is believed to have originated in northeastern China.12
From its native range in Asia, the species spread globally, eventually reaching Pacific Ocean islands as an invasive species through accidental introduction during voyages of exploration between the late 18th and 19th centuries. Once established on islands such as Hawaii and New Zealand, these rodents significantly impacted local ecosystems by preying on native birds, reptiles, and amphibians.12