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.
Norway rats and roof rats.
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.
Adults generally live up to one year in the wild.
It will kill a roof rat in a fight.
The droppings are capsule shaped and have blunt ends.
Females can have three to 12 litters per year and litters may number from 4 to 22.
Contrary to some conceptions the two species.
They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.
Norway rats will leave a mark as they drag their tails between their feet.
To catch roof rats and other rat species place tomcat mechanical traps within 100 feet of the rats suspected nest.
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.
Norway rat roof rat cross.
Differences between roof rats and norway rats.
Conspicuously shorter than their combined head and body their tails are carried with comparatively less movement than roof rats.
Also known as black rats or ship rats roof rats are outstanding climbers.
While these pests may look the same to the untrained eye they do differ in appearance size and behavior.
Norway rats and roof rats will leave a hind foot track of about 3 4 1 inch where a mouse s track measure s 3 8 of an inch or less.
Norway rats reach sexual maturity in 2 to 5 months and can breed any month of the year.
Facts about rats roof rat or black rat.
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.
The norway rat droppings are 1 4 to 1 2 inch in length.
The norway rat is larger and the more dominant species.
Their 6 inch to 8 1 2 inch tails are dark on top with lighter undersides.
Female roof rats have 10 teats norway rats have heavy thick bodies blunt muzzles and small close set ears.
Whereas the norway rat prefers its subterranean abodes the roof rat enjoys nesting in attics roofs and even treetops.
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.
Roof rats are not as common as norway rats.
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.
