Your On Point Wildlife Removal Experts
(321) 622-2225
For cats, dogs and domestic animals please call the Humane Society.
For injured or sick animals call your local Animal Control Office
Identification Of A Rat
Rats are one of the most common pests that people encounter in and around their homes. Many times, people do not see the rats themselves, they see the signs of their presence. It is necessary to be able to identify them just in case they are seen. They are larger than mice, even though the babies can be of similar size. They can be distinguished by their oversized feet and head, in proportion to their bodies. Both rodents will leave chew marks, but rat teeth and teeth marks are much larger.
Norway rats and Roof rats are the two commonly encountered rats of North America
- Norway rats (a.k.a. brown or sewer rats) are stocky with grayish-brown colored bodies. Their tails are shorter than their bodies and their eyes and ears are disproportionately small in comparison to their body. They are a burrowing species that will make their homes underneath gardens, fields, foundations, trash, and wood piles. They line their nests with shredded paper, cloth, or other fibrous materials.
- Roof rats (a.k.a. black rats) are arboreal rats and are great climbers. They will nest in trees, dense vegetation, attics, walls, and ceilings. They will utilize trees near a home to access the roof, a broken window, or eave. They tend to be more common in warmer, coastal regions.