ROOF RAT

Other Names: Black Rat, Fruit Rat, Ship Rat, Alexandrian Rat

If there is plenty of food and shelter, Roof Rats will gladly live in close proximity to humans, particularly in attics, ceilings, or wall areas. Roof rats inhabiting upper areas of buildings or homes often gnaw on wires found there, possibly leading to fires, outages, and production down-time.

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Description | Reproduction | Diet | Habitat

Description of the Roof Rat

Scientific Name:	Rattus Rattus
Color:	Black to brownish-gray; hard to identify by color alone
Weight:	6-12 ounces; smaller than Norway Rat
Length:	6-8 inches
Tail Length:	7-10 inches; longer than the body
Body:	Thin, slender body, pointed nose
Ears:	Relatively small; close to body
Eyes:	Large & prominent eyes; color blind
Lifespan:	5 to 18 months
Droppings:	½ inch long with pointed ends; dark color; found scattered

Roof Rat Rodent Library - Learn about Roof Rat Damage - Victor Roof Rat Control

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Reproduction of the Roof Rat

Litter Size:	4-8 pups per litter
No. of Litters:	3-4 per year
Sexual Maturity:	2-3 months
Gestation Period:	22 days
Breeding Season:	Indoors: All year; Outdoors: Spring & Fall

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Diet of the Roof Rat
Daily Amount:	0.5-1 ounce
Daily Water:	1 ounce
Daily Food:	Fruits, berries, meats, seeds, vegetables, eggs

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Habitat of the Roof Rat

Geography:	Nearby coastal cities; as a general rule they do not occur more than 100 miles inland
Nest Location:	Nests in attics, false ceilings, dead fronds of palm trees, and upper portions of buildings
Home Range:	Up to 300 ft. from nest
Active Periods:	Nocturnal; most feeding occurs 30 minutes after sunset and before sunrise

Norway Rat Map - Rodent Control - Rat Control

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