Roof Rat Norway Rat

Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail.

Roof rat norway rat.

A mouse s tracks will be much shorter. Norway rat rattus norvegicus also called brown rat. As you might expect black rats are grayish black with a yellow belly. Both roof rats and norway rats are considered vermin for good reasons.

Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. Splinter from the ninja turtles would be considered a norway rat since he lives in a sewer if this helps you get the picture. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. The norway rat is larger and more aggressive than the roof rat.

Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. Roof rats prefer to live above the ground in trees roofs elevated platforms etc. Medium sized chunky rodent with a scaly tail that is shorter than the body.

Grease marks from the oil and dirt of rats often appear along walls next to runways. Indoors runways appear as clean paths through dust or dirt. Medium sized slender rodent with large ears and a long thin scaly tail generally longer than body. Roof rat rattus rattus also called black rat ship rat.

With a body length of 6 8 inches long. The main difference between roof rats and norway rats is their behavior. Norway rats are excellent swimmers who readily dive through water seals in toilets emerging in toilet bowls. Rats will also drag their tails leaving a mark between their feet tracks.

A roof rat weighs between five and eight ounces and measures 12 18 inches long including its tail. Roof rats are expert climbers and gain access to buildings by climbing onto roofs from trees or overhead utility lines. 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. The roof rat has a longer tail more slender body larger ears larger eyes and a more pointed nose than a norway rat.

As an adult the norway rat can weigh between 12 16 oz. Norway rats close relatives of the roof rats and also known as old world rats or brown rats are less common than roof rats but still a threat. Norway rats would be considered bottom dwellers and they prefer to live in underground burrows basements tunnels etc. The nose is blunt with small ears and small eyes.

Faster and more agile than norway rats they use their tails for balance on electrical wires much like squirrels. They differ in color as the norway rat is brown or reddish and the roof rat is black. Many folks just refer to this species a black rat. Norway rats carry many transmittable diseases many of which are extremely serious.

Norway rats leave a hind foot track of about 3 4 1 inch.