Wood Rat Vs Roof Rat

A pack rat or packrat also called a woodrat can be any of the species in the rodent genus neotoma pack rats have a rat like appearance with long tails large ears and large black eyes.

Wood rat vs roof rat.

Facts about rats roof rat or black rat. The most common species of rats in the united states are the norway rat and the black rat. The diet of the roof rats is entirely different from their brethren species. Roof rats possessing a long tail.

Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. Pack rats are noticeably larger than deer mice harvest mice and grasshopper mice and are usually somewhat larger than cotton rats. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. Roof rats rattus rattus are most likely to be found nesting in attics and other high up places such as ceilings tall cabinets and the inside of walls.

And also because the norway rat can quickly adapt to the changes in the temperature compared to the roof rats. To make an ideal home roof rats need food water and a cozy nesting site so clean out wood piles rake up fallen vegetation and fruit and do not leave pet food or water outside especially overnight. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. Roof rats will also make tunnels through insulation and will leave chew marks wood pipes.

Female roof rats have 10 teats norway rats have heavy thick bodies blunt muzzles and small close set ears. Conspicuously shorter than their combined head and body their tails are carried with comparatively less movement than roof 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. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long.

Guard your chimney with a tight fitting cap cover any vents and fix any holes along your roof line. However there is another type of rat the woodrat that lives in certain parts of the country and can be a problematic pest to humans. Color is an easy way to identify roof rats vs. The roof rat feces are spindle shaped and reach about 1 2 inch in size the norway rat s droppings have a capsule shape.

Their 6 inch to 8 1 2 inch tails are dark on top with lighter undersides. There is a third type of rat the woodrat that you might find in the southwest but it is rarely a problem for humans. Roof rats being the smaller sized ones with a considerably slender body. On the basis of the tail size.

Let s take a closer look at these animals and understand what they are where they are found and what makes them unique. To prevent rats from entering your home seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter. How to prevent a roof rat infestation. They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.