Roof Rat Vs Pack Rat

Arizona is home to many of these rodents and as they have become a plague you may want to check out how to identify them.

Roof rat vs pack rat.

They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states. Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. As a forager the az pack rat has a tendency to gather small shiny objects. Pack rats are not true rats.

In simple terms muskrats look much more like beavers than they do rats. Scientifically pack rats are not true rats. They have long hairless tails that measure longer than its entire body. 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.

Also known as black rats roof rats have black or dark brown colored fur with a lighter underside. They can easily make their way up trees and often do so to gain access to residences and businesses through rooftops. How to identify pack rats. Pack rats get their unusual name from their habit of stealing and storing household items.

Pack rats also known as woodrats have large eyes and long whiskers. A pack rat has brownish grey fur on its back and sides with a lighter underbelly. 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. Roof rats have black fur not as coarse as the coats of norway rats.

They make nests out of branches sticks and other forms of rubble. All true rats belong to the genus rattus and include such notable characters as the black rat rattus rattus often called roof rats and the brown rat rattus norvegicus often called norway rats. The tendency to stash things attracts lice fleas snakes spiders and other critters. Evidence that you have pack rats is gnawing and fecal pellets.

Unlike many species of rat they are excellent climbers and build their nests indoors where the heat rises and keeps them warm. Pack rat nests also harbor diseases other pests such as kissing bugs brown spiders mice and scorpions. These rats originated in asia and are usually referred to as old world rats. Pack rats carry diseases including the plague and their dens and droppings are also a health hazard.

Roof rats are typically dark brown almost black in color with tails that are longer than their bodies. They are about 30cm long and their tails account for half of their length. Those of the rattus genus the most well known being the roof rat and the norway rat are considered direct relatives and true rats. Roof rats are strong climbers.