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Roof Rats Roof rats are generally smaller in size and more slender than the
Norway rat. It has a pointed snout, larger ears and a tail longer than its
body. It lives for about a year and can have up to five litters in this time.
They are often found indoors of buildings and around docks. They are more
suited to city life. Here they can use their climbing skills to get up into
high building and to climb across cables and branches to gain access to other
buildings and roof voids. They generally nest in roof voids and wall voids
but may roam and feed freely all over the building. When outside they usually
don’t burrow and are found in trees and vines. They consume a high amount of
vegetables and fruit materials. Life Cycle It normally lives for 9-12 months and can have as many as 4-5 Litters
per year. Each litter may contain 6-8 young which only take about 3-4 months
to reach sexual maturity. Habits They are creatures of habit and will take the same route of travel and
feed from the same food sources for as long as possible. They gnaw constantly
and do not always consume what they are gnawing. They will nest in areas that
provide suitable food and shelter. They are generally found to be a pest in
autumn and winter because this is when they are more likely to move into a
roof void as this may provide warmer conditions.
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