Norway Rats And Roof Rats

Whereas the norway rat prefers its subterranean abodes the roof rat enjoys nesting in attics roofs and even treetops.

Norway rats and roof rats. 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. Female roof rats have 10 teats norway rats have heavy thick bodies blunt muzzles and small close set ears. It will kill a roof rat in a fight. 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.

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 will leave a mark as they drag their tails between their feet. Norway rats rattus norvegicus and roof rats rattus rattus also called black rats ship rats are different species a species according to the biological species concept is a group of related individuals or populations that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring members of different species cannot produce fertile offspring together. Though there are many types of rats found across the mid atlantic states two that cause issues for residents and business owners are roof rats and norway rats.

When the two species occupy the same building norway rats may dominate the basement and ground floors with roof rats occupying the attic or second and third floors. Norway and roof rats don t get along. Contrary to some conceptions the two species. Their 6 inch to 8 1 2 inch tails are dark on top with lighter undersides.

To catch roof rats and other rat species place tomcat mechanical traps within 100 feet of the rats suspected nest. They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states. Norway rat roof rat cross. Norway rats tend to look more well fed and rounder than roof rats with small eyes close set ears and a shorter tail.

While roof rats excel scaling your roof norway rats are powerful swimmers. The droppings are capsule shaped and have blunt ends. Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. Also known as black rats or ship rats roof rats are outstanding climbers.

Norway rats reach sexual maturity in 2 to 5 months and can breed any month of the year. 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. Facts about rats roof rat or black rat. Differences between roof rats and norway rats.

The norway rat droppings are 1 4 to 1 2 inch in length. Conspicuously shorter than their combined head and body their tails are carried with comparatively less movement than roof rats. Females can have three to 12 litters per year and litters may number from 4 to 22. While these pests may look the same to the untrained eye they do differ in appearance size and behavior.