Roof Rat Vs Norway Rat

Distinguishing norway rats from roof rats.

Roof rat vs norway rat.

The norway rat is the more common of the two rodent species. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. More widely distributed than roof rats norway rats burrow into the ground along streams and rivers under buildings and in garbage dumps. Tail shorter than.

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. About seven to ten inches long.

The most common home invading rodents norway rats and roof rats can be identified in several ways. Roof rat the roof rat rattus rattus linnaeus is smaller in size than the norway rat. Norway rats can also weigh over one pound which is twice as heavy as a roof rat. Roof rats live in trees or vine covered fences landscaped residential and industrial areas parks with ponds or reservoirs riverbanks and streams.

They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states. Black rat for example without realizing that many describe the same two species. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long. Roof rats also have a longer tail a pointy snout and longer ears than norway rats.

The roof rat also called gray bellied rat white bellied rat alexandrine rat black rat and ship rat. Norway rats would be considered bottom dwellers and they prefer to live in underground burrows basements tunnels etc. Roof rats prefer to live above the ground in trees roofs elevated platforms etc. Both roof rats and norway rats are considered vermin for good reasons.

In addition to the damage to your property if you have an infestation there are several health risks to you and your family that the rats can create. Norway rats carry many transmittable diseases many of which are extremely serious. People refer to rats by many names brown rat vs. Another difference is that the roof rat is more slender with a longer tail than the norway rat.

Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail.