Roof Rats In Michigan

They possess hairless scaly tails that are often longer than their bodies and in addition to their dexterous feet allow them to jump and climb with ease.

Roof rats in michigan.

Landscaped residential or industrial areas provide good habitat as does riparian vegetation of riverbanks and streams. They weigh about 4 12 oz. Black rats come in many different colors despite their name and their fur is scraggly. They typically prefer higher nesting sites like roofs and upper floors.

Both are considered to be commensal rodents meaning that they share the table with humans and are thought to be among a small minority of rat species to benefit from this type of relationship. Biology black rats are generalists and eat almost any food from fruits to invertebrates. Parks with natural and artificial ponds or reservoirs may also be infested. Other names for the black rat are roof rat ship rat and house rat.

However there are reports of black rats living up to 4 years under captivity. Roof rats are prolific breeders and multiply at a frighteningly fast rate. As researched by the university of michigan animal diversity web roof rats in the wild live up to is about 12 months. There are many species of rats found in detroit columbus cleveland and throughout the united states but two rat species are of particular concern as pests roof rats and norway rats.

Similar in appearance to other common types of rats roof rats have dark brown or black coats light underbellies narrow bodies and large ears. Landscaped residential or industrial areas provide good habitat as does riparian vegetation of riverbanks and streams.