Rat Behavior, Identification, Diet, Diseases

Rats have furry bodies with little hair on their ears, tails, and paws. As do all rodents, they have two front teeth that grow constantly. Fur color, body shape, tail length, and innate abilities vary between species.

Rats are responsible for the spread of many diseases. Their feces, urine, parasites, and carcasses are all vectors. They carry fatal conditions like bubonic plague, Hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis.

Rats are creatures of habit and slow to adopt. Evidence is their creation of tracks. Indoors they leave greasy markings to follow by scent. Outdoors are runs of trampled grass. They use feces and urine to mark paths, as well.

Rats are dangerous, destructive, nocturnal pests that like to make their home in walls, ceilings, attics, and outdoor burrows. They carry many diseases including in their droppings which may be found in areas with food.

Roof rats and Norway rats are the two primary types of rat in North America. Roof rats are black in color with long tails. The Norway rat is brown and stocky with a shorter tail. Both are nocturnal and knaw constantly.

Though both rodents, rats and muskrats are distinctly different. Rats dwell on land, live alongside humans, and are prolific breeders. Muskrats are aquatic and solitary in nature.

Rats can cause a number of health problems in humans. They carry over 70 diseases of which many can be fatal. Fleas carried by the rats, urine, and feces can be infected and transfer to humans through contact or inhalation.

Rat habitats differ by species. Some nest close to the ground and others high in trees or structures. Their primary goals are safety to raise young and proximity to water and food. Nests are built from scavenged materials.

Rat fleas are extremely dangerous. They live mostly on and feed on blood of rats. These are carriers of fatal diseases and can jump amazing distances. Only a professional should handle rats, alive or dead, and their waste.

Rats are epic disease carriers. They host fatal diseases like the bubonic plague, Hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Rats, their fleas, urine, and feces are all potential transmitters.

Rats are scavengers and eat many different things. The staple of their diet is carbohydrates. Glucose is needed for health. Protein comes from nuts, oats, and other grains. Ensure foods sealed indoors to keep rats away.