Yes. The Norway rat is also known as the sewer rat, brown rat, or wharf rat. They are all the same thing—this burrowing, ground-nesting rat can be found around the world. Despite popular belief, the “sewer rats” do not migrate up to the street every day. Usually there are separate populations around a city—some in the park, some in the subway, some in alleys. Wherever there is food, water, and shelter (especially if it is warm).