Rats are smart, sneaky, and very good at surviving. They can live in cities, forests, deserts, and even near water. Different species of rats have different ways of living that help them stay safe and find food. That’s why professional pest control services often need to know what kind of rat they’re dealing with, because each type behaves differently in its environment. Let’s take a closer look at how four common rat species have learned to live in all kinds of places.
Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
The Norway rat is one of the most common rats. It’s big, strong, and not picky about where it lives.
- Where They Live: Norway rats like places close to the ground. You can find them in basements, under buildings, in gardens, and near rivers or sewers.
- What Helps Them Survive: These rats are great swimmers. They can move through pipes and water tunnels to find food or escape danger.
- What They Eat: They will eat almost anything grains, meat, garbage, and even pet food.
- How They Think: Norway rats are careful and smart. If they see something new, like a trap, they often avoid it until they’re sure it’s safe.
Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)
Roof rats are smaller and like to stay up high.
- Where They Live: These rats love climbing. You might find them in attics, trees, or on rooftops. They also move across power lines and fences.
- What Helps Them Survive: Their long tails help them balance when climbing. Big eyes and ears help them move around in the dark.
- What They Eat: Roof rats enjoy fruits, seeds, nuts, and veggies. They also eat pet food and snacks left out in the kitchen.
- How They Nest: Unlike Norway rats, roof rats don’t dig. They build nests in high places to stay safe from predators.
Pack Rat (Neotoma cinerea)
Also called the bushy-tailed woodrat, the pack rat is known for collecting shiny things.
- Where They Live: Pack rats live in forests, rocky hills, and dry deserts. They make nests in trees, wood piles, or even inside old cars or sheds.
- What Helps Them Survive: These rats are good at hiding. They use anything they find, twigs, paper, even coins, to build safe homes.
- What They Eat: Pack rats mostly eat plants, seeds, and fruits. In drier places, they get water from juicy plants like cacti.
- Funny Fact: They are called “pack rats” because they love to steal and stash shiny objects.
Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)
This desert rat gets its name because of how it moves by jumping!
- Where They Live: Kangaroo rats are found in deserts and dry places. They dig deep burrows to stay cool during the hot days.
- What Helps Them Survive: These little guys can jump far to escape danger. Their fur helps them blend into sandy surroundings. They are also great at saving water.
- What They Eat: They mostly eat dry seeds. Their bodies are so good at saving water that they don’t even need to drink!
- Burrow Life: Their underground homes help keep the air moist and cool. They even block the entrance during the day to keep out the heat.
Final Thoughts
No matter where they live, high in trees, deep underground, in wet marshes, or dry deserts, rats have found amazing ways to survive. Each kind of rat uses its body, brain, and habits to fit into its home. That’s what makes them some of the most adaptable animals in the world.
By learning how rats live, we can better understand how to keep them out of our homes and protect our spaces