Roof Rats And Disease Edu

Historically infected fleas have transmitted serious plagues from rats to humans.

Roof rats and disease edu.

The roof rat rattus rattus fig. Tiguous 50 states although the norway rat may be absent from some relatively large geographic areas of the west. While casual observations of roof rats or native rats can. Ecology of roof rats and native rats.

The sleek black roof rat is one of the most common species of rats in the united states. Types of roof rat diseases. Rattus rattus also known as the black rat ship rat or house rat is an old world rodent species originating in southeast asia. Bubonic plague was a scourge in europe several times throughout history.

The roof rat can appear similar to the norway rat native arizona pack rat neotoma. They can transmit these diseases through physical contact bites by contamination or by fleas that are feeding on the rodent. Its color varies from black to brownish gray and the underside varies from gray to white. The roof rat primarily occupies the coastal areas of washington oregon and california as well as a larger area along the gulf and atlantic coast states from texas to maryland.

The roof rat has large ears and a pointed nose. Hps was first recognized in 1993 and although rare hps is potentially deadly. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. Roof rats are not established in the mid western states.

These pests cause significant damage through their gnawing nesting and burrowing habits. Table 1 provides a brief description of the physical similarities and differences among these rodents. The eyes are large and prominent. Gouge paula rivadeneira and shujuan lucy li.

The body is 6 1 2 to 8 inches long and weighs between 6 and 12 ounces. Diseases caused by rats rat droppings rat urine and rat saliva. Spp or cotton rat sigmodon arizonae. The roof rat figures 1 4.

Plague is a disease that both roof and norway rats can carry but in california it is more commonly associated with ground squirrels chipmunks and native woodrats. Roof rats can be carriers of diseases. 2 often is called the black rat. Among the diseases rats can transmit to humans or livestock are murine typhus leptospirosis salmonellosis food poisoning and ratbite fever.

This is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine droppings or saliva. For pest management professionals and environmental health professionals. Eric benson clemson university clemson dogs may be man s best friend but rats have been his. However roof rat diseases are the most serious concern for people and pets.