Their equally unwelcome relatives norway rats rattus norvegicus patrol basements and lower levels of buildings sewers and subways.
The scientific difference between norway rats and roof rats.
The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside.
It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide.
Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail.
It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it.
Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size.
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.
Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long.
If you spot either a roof rat or a norway rat you should be able to tell which is which relatively easily.
Thus a difference between roof rats and norway rats is habitat preference in addition to variations in physical appearance and behavioral characteristics.
This type of rat is also called many other names including a brown rat sewer rat common rat street rat or wharf rat.
Roof rats are not as common as norway rats.
They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states.