Norway Vs Roof Rats

Roof rats will be more commonly found in your attic while norway rats on the ground level.

Norway vs roof rats.

Medium sized slender rodent with large ears and a long thin scaly tail generally longer than body. Norway rat habits vs roof rat habits. 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. Distinguishing norway rats from roof rats.

Conspicuously shorter than their combined head and body their tails are carried with comparatively less movement than roof rats. Black rat for example without realizing that many describe the same two species. In areas where the roof rat occurs the norway rat may also be present. They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.

Their 6 inch to 8 1 2 inch tails are dark on top with lighter undersides. Additionally the roof rat. The roof rat has a more limited geographical range than the norway rat preferring ocean influenced warmer climates. Roof rat rattus rattus also called black rat ship rat.

Color is an easy way to identify roof rats vs. Roof rats can weigh between 8 12 ounces and norway rats can weight between 10 17 ounces. They ll crawl across tree branches that hang above roofs and sneak in through windows or attics. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long.

Tail shorter than. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. Norway rat rattus norvegicus also called brown rat. 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.

Just like everything else location is everything when it comes to identifying a roof rat from a norway rat. While roof rats excel scaling your roof norway rats are powerful swimmers. While we have focused on roof rats and norway rats as being vermin and unwelcome as unlikely as it may seem these rats do have a positive trait. Roof rats like their name love roofs and anywhere else high.

Facts about rats roof rat or black rat. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. Roof rats are excellent climbers while norway rats are excellent swimmers. The most common home invading rodents norway rats and roof rats can be identified in several ways.

Female roof rats have 10 teats norway rats have heavy thick bodies blunt muzzles and small close set ears. Due to their genes being 90 equivalent to that of humans medical research on rats has allowed for many significant strides in the study of human diseases. Norway rats tend to look more well fed and rounder than roof rats with small eyes close set ears and a shorter tail. If you are unsure of the species look for rats at night with a strong flashlight or trap a few.

Medium sized chunky rodent with a scaly tail that is shorter than the body.