Are sewer rats and regular rats the same thing?

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).