Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection. Both brown rats and black rats have been known to carry potentially deadly diseases. The Roof rat is the black one. Take a look at this map of its distribution. Characteristics All rights reserved | Internet Dominance. Human diseases caused by contact with Bird Droppings. The bite strength of a Norway rat is much more powerful than a roof rat. Strijdom Park, Randburg, © 2017 Roof Rats. Now the brown rat has conquered every continent besides Antarctica. Psammomys obesus. Black rat: On the other hand, the black rat has these features: slender body; large thin ears; pointed nose; tail longer than head and body. The roof rat is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Both brown rats and black rats have been known to carry potentially deadly diseases. They are not found often in urban areas. These guys come from the forest, which is why they’re so good at climbing. Usually lives on the ground and burrows. Black Rat vs Brown Rat: What's the Difference. 4.9 Read Google Reviews. Brown Rat vs. Black Rat - a comparison of species Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) vs. Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) Thought to have originated in northern China and spread to all continents except Antarctica, now the dominant rat in Europe and much of North America. It grows up to between 350–500g in weight. Norway Rats usually weigh 7 to 17 oz. The black rats piggybacked on their victory. We clean where others fear to tread! The Norway rat can be most easily identified by the length of its tail which is shorter than its body. ... Black Rat. Most importantly, make sure that possible entry points to the home are sealed off. Distribution. Mouse droppings are granular in shape and black in colour and can be found near nesting areas. No. Despite its name, the black rat exhibits several colour forms. Learn more about Lindsey's effective bed bug treatments and get rid of these biting pests so you can rest. Don’t leave pet food out if possible. Black rats usually weigh 4 to 12 1/2 oz. Rat Dropping Pictures. Another species of wild rat, rattus rattus (the black rat/ship rat/roof rat), is also kept by some rescuers and specialists. The brown rat is up to 40 cm in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body. You may also spot rodent droppings or see greasy streaks from their fur. The name is deceiving as this rat did not originate in Norway, but most likely came from Central Asia many centuries ago. We have special tactics that we can apply depending on the species that we’re dealing with. While the roof rat is not always black, they are darker in color than the Norway rat. This is the species that is often kept as pets and used in la… Bite back against mosquitoes with Lindsey Pest Service's professional year-round treatment that significantly reduce mosquitoes and protect against bites. You might be thinking a rat is a rat, who cares what color it is? Despite its name, the Black Rat is usually brown or grey. The Europeans then proceeded to conquer a huge chunk of the world. The roof rat being smaller, is faster and more agile than the Norway rat. It is a better climber than a swimmer. Apodemus sylvaticus. The Norway rat is the brown one. Black rats are the dominant wild species in some countries, like South Africa. This rat has a brown toned body with black shading. Also, brown rats are the ones who love to live in sewers. What is the Difference Between Brown Rats and Black Rats? The Black Rat, or Ship's Rat, has brown to gray to fur, sometimes black, and a long dark tail 6 1/2 to 10 inches long. Scientists consider Northern China to be the brown rat’s original home. 7 CR Swart Drive Don't let the bed bugs bite! Well, if you have noticed, a rat is far more cautious, while, a mouse is usually a curious being…yes, it’s a fact, dear readers! or more. It is usually black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. It is not quite as large as the brown rat, but still reaches lengths of about 12 in. Comparison of the physique of a black rat (Rattus rattus) with a brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) The fur is coarse and usually brown or dark grey, while the underparts are lighter grey or brown. If it has the exact conditions, then it is a black rat. These are just generalizations. A distinctive characteristic of rats that helps distinguish them from similarly sized carnivorous marsupials is their front teeth: a pair of chisel shaped incisors with hard yellow enamel on the front surfaces. Also known as the ship rat, the black rat (Rattus rattusm) was introduced to Britain with the Romans. Brown rats love sewers because they’re natural burrowers. Contact us via telephone or email today and let us help you rid yourself of your rat problem. Fleas on black rats brought the plague to Europe in the Middle Ages, when they came with the last Crusaders returning from the Holy Land in 1348. 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