Roof Rats - Overview
Other Names: Black Rat, Fruit Rat, Ship Rat, Alexandrian Rat
Diet
Daily Amount:
0.5-1 ounce
Daily Water:
1-2 ounce
Daily Food:
Fruits, berries, meats, seeds, vegetables, eggs
Habitat
Geography:
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
Reproduction
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
Top 10 High Activity Areas
- Attics
- False ceiling areas
- Within fruit trees
- Wall and floor voids in upper floors
- Within dead fronds of palm trees
- Among overgrown vegetation along fence rows and utility poles
- Within brick foundation wall voids
- Beneath low-lying and cavernous shrubbery
- Along utility lines connected to exterior of home
- Beneath slab walkways
