Roof Rat Diet

Black rats are considered omnivores and eat a wide range of foods including seeds fruit stems leaves fungi and a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates.

Roof rat diet.

Roof rats are food hoarders stashing supplies of food such as seeds and nuts. Roof rats will eat meat and grain but their preferences are fresh fruits vegetables seeds and nuts. Roof rats usually prefer fruit which is why people often refer to them as fruit rats. In fact the roof rat in particular has a diet that closely resembles that of a tree squirrel.

They are generalists and thus not very specific in their food preferences which is indicated by their tendency to feed on any meal provided for cows swine chickens cats and dogs. However when they are hungry enough they are not as selective and can eat whatever is available they become omnivorous. Diet unlike other rat species that often prefer to eat meat scraps and high protein foods the diet of roof rats is similar to that of squirrels. When living near humans the availability of foods will drive a rodent s habits.

In the wild tree rats eat vegetative food like fruits berries and nuts. Roof rats are omnivorous and willing to eat practically anything available to them. The diet of the roof rats is entirely different from their brethren species. A roof rat needs about to 1 ounce of food daily.

This means they mainly eat nuts and fruits but just like other rat species roof rats are omnivorous. Norway rats often prefer foods high in protein such as meat scraps or pet food. These rodents prefer to consume fruits sometimes referred to as the fruit rat or citrus rat and nuts although roof rats are omnivorous and will feed on almost anything available to them. Their favorite fruits include fruits like avocados coconuts sugar cane and citrus fruits.

Naturally they will eat in several different places which will be an important strategy when you bait and trap. They will also eat crops if they have access to them. They will eat just about anything if they are hungry enough including. Roof rats eat about 15 grams of food per day and drink 15 milliliters of water per day.

Roof rats will eat smaller portions of food compared to norway rats. They weigh between 2 8 ounces and their bodies are 5 to 7 5 inches long. These rats are omnivores eating foliage like seeds leaves and stems in addition to small prey like birds and insects. Especially when you are dealing with the roof rat more than the norway rat.

Additionally they will feed on slugs and snails which may become a large part of their diet. They may be attracted to areas with fruit tress. However they prefer to feed on seeds nuts fruits and berries when in season. Rats love to eat things from seeds to fruit grains vegetables nuts a variety of insects spiders and worms along with scraps of meat.

Roof rat diet mostly consists of vegetarian food.