Roof Rat Vs Norway Rat

Oregon pest control rats roof rat norway rat.

Roof rat vs norway rat.

Black rat for example without realizing that many describe the same two species. Norway rats also called sewer rats brown rats and wharf rats are much larger and darker in color which ranges from a grayish brown to reddish brown. About seven to ten inches long. Distinguishing norway rats from roof rats.

The most common home invading rodents norway rats and roof rats can be identified in several ways. Norway rats tend to look more well fed and rounder than roof rats with small eyes close set ears and a shorter tail. Apart from the smaller sizes roof rat droppings differ from those of norway rats in that the ends are pointed rather than being blunt. People refer to rats by many names brown rat vs.

From head to tail roof rats can be between 13 17 inches long and norway rats can be about 12 17 inches long. Livestock feed fresh fruits and vegetables meat sugar flower bulbs corn flour wheat beans bread even injured rats may be eaten. Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail. Roof rats will be more commonly found in your attic while norway rats on the ground level.

Norway rats can also weigh over one pound which is twice as heavy as a roof rat. 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. Norway rats prefer a diet rich in carbohydrates and proteins.

Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. Roof rats prefer seeds fresh vegetables and fruit vegetative parts of native and ornamental plants wheat and corn. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. With an average weight of 4 11 ounces the roof rat is much smaller than the norway rat.

Roof rats also have a longer tail a pointy snout and longer ears than norway rats. These rats are also vectors of diseases including plague jaundice rat bite fever cowpox virus trichinosis and salmonellosis. In addition norway rats can contaminate food and introduce fleas into a home. Roof rats can weigh between 8 12 ounces and norway rats can weight between 10 17 ounces.

Tail shorter than. Roof rats are excellent climbers while norway rats are excellent swimmers. While roof rats excel scaling your roof norway rats are powerful swimmers. Color is an easy way to identify roof rats vs.