Roof Rat Biology

The roof rat is typically all one uniform color ranging from white buff or gray with pointed muzzles long ears and long scaly tails.

Roof rat biology.

Because the roof rats climb well common nesting sites are above the ground. Rat behavior and biology anne s rat page welcome to my website about rats. Roof rat biology and health significance in nature roof rats are preferentially tree dwellers. These articles are based on my study of the scientific literature available on rats and on my own observations of rat behavior.

Roof rats are sometimes found living in or around. Their undersides are often white gray or black. The black rat also known as ship rat roof rat or house rat is a common long tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus rattus in the subfamily murinae. It is sometimes kept as a pet.

Roof rats have evolved to prefer to eat wheat corn seeds vegetables and fruit. The roof rat s adult head and body length is about 13 to 18 inches long including its tail. How did i get roof rats. Roof rats are more aerial than norway rats in their habitat selection and often will live in trees or on vine covered fences.

The roof rat has a pointed nuzzle and ears that are long enough to be pulled over its eyes. Roof rats may be identified by the following physical features. The roof rats become sexually mature in just a couple months. The norway rat is the more common of the two rodent species.

The norway rat is larger and more robust. The two most common rats in the pacific northwest are the roof rat and the norway rat. Roof rats can be black or brown. They ll sometimes occasionally nest on the ground under piles of debris in stacks of firewood in abandoned vehicles and in other protected places.

They will nest in trees attics voids along the roof line and in ceilings. But they feel more comfortable in higher places. Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length. They have smooth fur with hairless scaly tails that are longer than their heads and bodies.

It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it feeds on a wide range of agricultural crops. The roof rat appears sleek and graceful. The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. They have 4 6 litters per year.

In parts of india it is considered. These rodents have long tails large ears and eyes and pointed noses. They will often move into sugarcane and citrus groves. It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide.

Roof rats habits and biology. Roof rats can fit through holes as small as one half inch in diameter. I have written a number of articles about rat behavior and biology. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black.

Because they prefer to be high in the air these rodents may climb on power lines or tree branches to get on the roof. Landscaped residential or industrial areas provide good habitat as does vegetation of riverbanks and streams.