Roof Rat
Color: They are brown with black mixed in, or sometimes gray to black on top with white and a gray or black underside.
Characteristics: Roof rats have soft and smooth fur, a pointed muzzle with large eyes and large, alratt naked ears that can be pulled over the eyes.
Size: The head and body length of an adult roof rat is about 6 to 8 inches long and the tail length is 7 to 10 inches in length. They range from about 5 ounces up to 12 ounces.
Potentially Dangerous: Yes
Food Contamination
Structure Damaging
Health Hazard
Illness Spreading
Structure Invading
Norway Rat
Color: Norway rats are brown with scattered black hairs and have a gray to yellow-white underside.
Characteristics: The Norway rat is a type of rodent in Texas that has a heavy body with coarse and shaggy fur that is dense with short hairs, a blunt muzzle and small eyes and ears.
Size: The head and body length of an adult Norway rat is about 7 to 9 inches long and the tail length is 6 to 8 inches in length. They range from 7 ounces to 20 ounces in weight.
Potentially Dangerous: Yes
Structure Damaging
Health Hazard
Illness Spreading
Structure Invading
House Mouse
Color: Typically, light brown, but can sometimes be nearly black.
Characteristics: House mice have smooth fur; pointed muzzle, small eyes, large ears with some hair. They are also known to have short, broad feet and dark, scaly semi-naked tails.
Size: A house mouse adult’s head+body length is 2.5-3.5 in; tail length is 2.75-4 in; weight is 0.5-1 ounce.
Potentially Dangerous: Yes
Food Contamination
Structure Damaging
Health Hazard
Illness Spreading
Structure Invading