Roof Rat Biology

These articles are based on my study of the scientific literature available on rats and on my own observations of rat behavior.

Roof rat biology.

Roof rat biology and health significance in nature roof rats are preferentially tree dwellers. The roof rat is typically all one uniform color ranging from white buff or gray with pointed muzzles long ears and long scaly tails. It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it feeds on a wide range of agricultural crops. The norway rat is larger and more robust.

Roof rats can be black or brown. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length. Their undersides are often white gray or black.

It is sometimes kept as a pet. The roof rat appears sleek and graceful. 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.

The roof rats become sexually mature in just a couple months. Females become sexually mature in 68 90 days with 5 8 pups per litter. Roof rats may be identified by the following physical features. The roof rat s adult head and body length is about 13 to 18 inches long including its tail.

They ll sometimes occasionally nest on the ground under piles of debris in stacks of firewood in abandoned vehicles and in other protected places. The norway rat is the more common of the two rodent species. I have written a number of articles about rat behavior and biology. They will nest in trees attics voids along the roof line and in ceilings.

The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. 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. They have 4 6 litters per year. How did i get roof rats.

The two most common rats in the pacific northwest are the roof rat and the norway rat. These rodents have long tails large ears and eyes and pointed noses. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail. Roof rats can fit through holes as small as one half inch in diameter.

But they feel more comfortable in higher places. Roof rats have evolved to prefer to eat wheat corn seeds vegetables and fruit. Landscaped residential or industrial areas provide good habitat as does vegetation of riverbanks and streams. Roof rats habits and biology.

Roof rats are sometimes found living in or around. Rat behavior and biology anne s rat page welcome to my website about rats. Because they prefer to be high in the air these rodents may climb on power lines or tree branches to get on the roof. They will often move into sugarcane and citrus groves.

In parts of india it is considered. It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide.