The Scientific Difference Between Norway Rats And Roof Rats

This type of rat is also called many other names including a brown rat sewer rat common rat street rat or wharf rat.

The scientific difference between norway rats and roof rats.

Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long. Thus a difference between roof rats and norway rats is habitat preference in addition to variations in physical appearance and behavioral characteristics. If you spot either a roof rat or a norway rat you should be able to tell which is which relatively easily. Their equally unwelcome relatives norway rats rattus norvegicus patrol basements and lower levels of buildings sewers and subways.

They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states. It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. 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.

Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail. Unlike the roof rat the norway rat the species with the scientific name rattus norvegicus prefers to be underground but can be found in a variety of places including under buildings in dumps and on farms. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. The roof rat is the smaller of the two and it is often mistaken for a mouse due to their large ears and pointed noses.

It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it.