Ecology and Health of Rattus at Nome, Alaska

Abstract

Nome is the most northerly coastal locality in Alaska where the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, has become established. In winter the physical environment of rats living under marginal and submarginal conditions at this latitude (64°30′) is quite extreme. A parasitological study of these rats was begun in December, 1952, during which some notes were also made on the effect of winter conditions on this population. These observations are reported herein.