The origin and historical development of the major strains of laboratory rats have been reviewed by Lindsey (1979). The Norway rat is not indigenous to Europe however, it is believed to have originated in Asia and to have taken advantage of human movement in expanding its range worldwide (Nowak, 1991). The albinos of the Norway rat were first domesticated in Europe in the early 19th century and came into use as experimental animals shortly thereafter (Lindsey, 1979).
The laboratory rat is a domesticated Norway rat, which in nature is one of the most widespread and abundant of the more than 70 species of the genus Rattus (family Muridae).
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