Norway Rats Roof Rats Big Mice

And the roof rat also known as black rat or house rat rattus rattus.

Norway rats roof rats big mice.

The norway rat droppings are 1 4 to 1 2 inch in length. Also known as black rats or ship rats roof rats are outstanding climbers. On the basis of the tail size. Roof rats typically live in trees including palms or elevated structures where there is an adequate but rarely an abundant food source.

Norway rats will leave a mark as they drag their tails between their feet. Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. Norway rats tend to look more well fed and rounder than roof rats with small eyes close set ears and a shorter tail. The roof rat has a more limited geographical range than the norway rat preferring ocean influenced warmer climates.

In areas where the roof rat occurs the norway rat may also be present. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. Norway rats are the larger of the two species up to about twice the size of roof rats. To catch roof rats and other rat species place tomcat mechanical traps within 100 feet of the rats suspected nest.

Whereas the norway rat prefers its subterranean abodes the roof rat enjoys nesting in attics roofs and even treetops. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long. Also called the black rat ship rat or old english rat the roof rat measures 6 8 inches long and has a tail that s slightly longer than its body. While roof rats excel scaling your roof norway rats are powerful swimmers.

Norway rats and roof rats will leave a hind foot track of about 3 4 1 inch where a mouse s track measure s 3 8 of an inch or less. The diet of the roof rats is entirely different from their brethren species. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. The droppings are capsule shaped and have blunt ends.

Because norway rats tend to be larger their droppings are also larger about 3 4 inch long whereas roof rat droppings are usually about half an inch. Roof rats being the smaller sized ones with a considerably slender body. The ultimate size of a roof rat is also limited by its food supply. They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.

The roof rat feces are spindle shaped and reach about 1 2 inch in size the norway rat s droppings have a capsule shape. Roof rats will also make tunnels through insulation and will leave chew marks wood pipes. Roof rats possessing a long tail. And also because the norway rat can quickly adapt to the changes in the temperature compared to the roof rats.

If you are unsure of the species look for rats at night with a strong flashlight or trap a few. Two species of nonnative rats are the primary pests in california urban areas and urban gardens the norway rat also known as sewer rat brown rat or common rat rattus norvegicus. The tail markings and hind feet markings of the norway rat and of the roof rat are hard to differentiate between each other.