The Scientific Difference Between Norway Rats And Roof Rats

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.

The scientific difference between norway rats and roof rats. Another way to differentiate between the two rodents is size. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length while norway rats can be up to ten inches long. The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. Additionally the roof rat typically has a much longer tail.

They re typically found within 100 miles of the gulf coastline or the coastline of the western united states. 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 have black fur with pale underbellies while norway rats have brownish gray coats. 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.

Roof rats are not as common as norway rats. 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. It is a generalist omnivore and a serious pest to farmers because it. The black rat rattus rattus 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.

It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide.