Rat Description:

Roof Rat has a pointed nose with a long tail (Tails are longer than the heads and bodies combined).  Adults weigh 5-10 oz.  Roof rats are located in tropical climates (Norh Carolina and all coastal areas into Texas and The coastal areas of California and Oregan).  Roof rats usually nest above ground in attics, ceilings, trees, and other locations.  They feed on Fruits and nuts.  Roof rats are omnivores, so they eat both meat and vegitation.  Require water often, which they usually can get through their food source.  Nocturnal.  Many rats eat their food source once they are back to their nesting areas.  Very good climbers.  Norway Rats sometimes called brown or sewer rats have a blunted nose, small ears, short tail (shorter than their head and body combined), adults weigh up to 1 pound.  Their burrows can be found along foundations of structures, beneath woodpiles, gardens, and fields.  Once in a building Norways are found in the basements or ground floor locations.  Gnawing holes from rats could be as large as 3 inches or more in diameter.  They prefer gnawing on wood, but also can damage electrical wiring.  The Norway Rat is in all 48 states.