Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size.
Roof rat norway rat.
Its fur is shaggy and coarse with variation in colors.
Norway rats would be considered bottom dwellers and they prefer to live in underground burrows basements tunnels etc.
Many folks just refer to this species a black rat.
In addition to the damage to your property if you have an infestation there are several health risks to you and your family that the rats can create.
Indoors runways appear as clean paths through dust or dirt.
Both roof rats and norway rats are considered vermin for good reasons.
Roof rats are not as common as norway rats.
Norway rats carry many transmittable diseases many of which are extremely serious.
Norway rats close relatives of the roof rats and also known as old world rats or brown rats are less common than roof rats but still a threat.
A mouse s tracks will be much shorter.
Roof rat rattus rattus also called black rat ship rat.
Norway rats leave a hind foot track of about 3 4 1 inch.
As you might expect black rats are grayish black with a yellow belly.
Grease marks from the oil and dirt of rats often appear along walls next to runways.
Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long.
They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.
Faster and more agile than norway rats they use their tails for balance on electrical wires much like squirrels.
A roof rat weighs between five and eight ounces and measures 12 18 inches long including its tail.
They differ in color as the norway rat is brown or reddish and the roof rat is black.
Norway rat rattus norvegicus also called brown rat.
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.
Roof rats prefer to live above the ground in trees roofs elevated platforms etc.
Rats will also drag their tails leaving a mark between their feet tracks.
Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats.
Roof rats are expert climbers and gain access to buildings by climbing onto roofs from trees or overhead utility lines.
With a body length of 6 8 inches long.
Medium sized chunky rodent with a scaly tail that is shorter than the body.
As an adult the norway rat can weigh between 12 16 oz.
Splinter from the ninja turtles would be considered a norway rat since he lives in a sewer if this helps you get the picture.
The nose is blunt with small ears and small eyes.
Norway rats are excellent swimmers who readily dive through water seals in toilets emerging in toilet bowls.
The norway rat is larger and more aggressive than the roof rat.
