Rats have many predators, including snakes, foxes , skunks , weasels , owls , hawks , cats and dogs. These predators area very important since they control rat opulations. Rats also help plants grow by aerating soil. This means they put oxygen into the soil when they dig. This makes plants healthier in those areas. Rats ommunicate with one another using squeaks, whistles and chirps.
The Norway rat, most commonly known as the brown rat or common rat, is one of the most commonly encountered rats in Australia. Brown or grey in colour, Norway rats can grow up to 28cm in size and weigh up to 500grams. Norway rats can live wherever humans reside, such as urban areas. As omnivores they’re able to eat almost anything, making infestations difficult to control.
The roof rat’s scientific name is Rattus rattus. Historically, they area associated with having spread the plague or black death during the middle ages. The roof rat is also known as the black rat, even though it is not nec-essarily black in colour, but rather is usually dark brown. Your typical roof rat is between 13 to 18 inches long, including its tail. In fact, it is distinguished from other rats by that tail, which is longer than the rest of its body. Roof rats are sleek, slender and agile. They have larger ears.
The house mouse ( Mus musculus) is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus. As a wild animal, the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to cropsand stored food. The house mouse has been domesticated as the pet or fancy mouse, and as the laborartory mouse which is one of the most important model organisms in biology and medicine. It is by far the most commonly used genetically altered laboratory mammal. House mice have an adult body length ( nose to base of tail) of 7.5-10cm and a tail length of 5-10cm. The weight is typically 10-25 g. They vary in color from white to grey to light brown to black. They have short hair and a light belly. The ears and tail have little hair.