{"id":24923,"date":"2024-02-09T21:20:45","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T21:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crittercontro.wpenginepowered.com\/?post_type=wildlife&#038;p=24923"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:22:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T21:22:52","slug":"what-does-a-rat-look-like","status":"publish","type":"wildlife","link":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does a Rat Look Like?"},"content":{"rendered":"  <div class=\"wildlife-sub-navigation\">\n  <nav class=\"wildlife-sub-nav\" aria-label=\"Animal Navigation\">\n          <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Removal<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-info\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-noises\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Sound<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-sounds\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-droppings\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Scat<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-scat\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tracks\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Tracks<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-tracks\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <\/nav>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <section class=\"featured-image\" aria-label=\"featured image\">\n    <div class=\"featured-image-wrapper\">\n      \n\n                                                    \n    \n  <picture>\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 767px, (max-width: 991px) 991px, 1920px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-100x0-c-default.webp 100w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-200x0-c-default.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-400x0-c-default.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-600x0-c-default.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-800x0-c-default.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner.webp 1200w\">\n    <source type=\"image\/jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 767px, (max-width: 991px) 991px, 1920px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-100x0-c-default.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-200x0-c-default.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-400x0-c-default.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-600x0-c-default.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner-800x0-c-default.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner.jpg 1200w\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"featured-image-item\" width=\"1200\" height=\"711\" alt=\"CC-Rat-Banner\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/CC-Rat-Banner.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" >\n  <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>You might catch a quick movement along a wall, hear what sounds like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-noises\/\"><u>rat noises<\/u><\/a>, or spot something small scurrying along out of the corner of your eye. It&#8217;s natural to pause and wonder, &#8220;Could that be a rat?&#8221; And if so, what does a rat look like up close? Knowing what a rat looks like helps you to recognize early signs, ask the right questions, and keep your home a safe, comfortable place for your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We know how important peace of mind is to you and your family. Our team at Critter Control takes a calm, careful approach to identifying rat activity and removing wildlife humanely. We&#8217;re here to offer dependable guidance and safe solutions whenever you need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-identify-a-rat\">How to Identify a Rat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you notice something moving around your home, it helps to understand what you&#8217;re seeing so you can protect your space. Most homeowners come across Norway rats, roof rats, or pack rats, and each has traits that make identification easier. In general, rats have rounded ears, long tails, and fuller bodies than mice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those differences matter, especially when you&#8217;re trying to figure out if you&#8217;re dealing with a single animal or signs of a larger issue. Clear identification supports your family&#8217;s safety, helps keep living areas clean, and provides a dependable starting point for addressing new activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-norway-rats\">Norway Rats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Rat Images\/norway-rat-in-yard-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Rat%20Images\/norway-rat-in-yard-Copy.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Rat%20Images\/norway-rat-in-yard-Copy-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n                    {\n                        \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n                        \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n                        \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Rat%20Images\/norway-rat-in-yard-Copy.jpg\",\n                        \"width\": \"\",\n                        \"height\": \"\",\n                        \"caption\": \"\",\n                        \"description\": \"\",\n                        \"contentLocation\": \"USA\",\n                        \"author\": {\n                            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                            \"name\": \"Critter Control\",\n                            \"url\": \"http:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/\"\n                        }\n                    }\n                    <\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Norway rats have sturdy bodies, brown or brown-gray fur, and hairless tails that are typically shorter than their bodies. Their ears are small and set close to the head, giving them a compact, heavy appearance. These traits are part of the classic Norway rat&#8217;s characteristics, and they often help homeowners distinguish it from lighter, more agile species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-roof-rats\">Roof Rats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"118\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Office Finder Refresh\/__thumbnails\/Roof-Rat-Banner_jpg_300_118.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21017\"\/><\/figure>\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n                    {\n                        \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n                        \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n                        \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Office%20Finder%20Refresh\/__thumbnails\/Roof-Rat-Banner_jpg_300_118.jpg\",\n                        \"width\": \"\",\n                        \"height\": \"\",\n                        \"caption\": \"\",\n                        \"description\": \"\",\n                        \"contentLocation\": \"USA\",\n                        \"author\": {\n                            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                            \"name\": \"Critter Control\",\n                            \"url\": \"http:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/\"\n                        }\n                    }\n                    <\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Roof rats are slimmer and more agile than Norway rats, with darker fur that ranges from deep brown to black. Their tails are long and usually darker than their coats. If you&#8217;ve ever wondered, &#8220;What does a roof rat look like?&#8221; picture a sleek, quick-moving rodent built for climbing and navigating the upper parts of a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pack-rats\">Pack Rats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"176\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Deleted\/__thumbnails\/pack-rat-in-home_jpg_300_176.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15466\"\/><\/figure>\n                    <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n                    {\n                        \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n                        \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n                        \"contentUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Deleted\/__thumbnails\/pack-rat-in-home_jpg_300_176.jpg\",\n                        \"width\": \"\",\n                        \"height\": \"\",\n                        \"caption\": \"\",\n                        \"description\": \"\",\n                        \"contentLocation\": \"USA\",\n                        \"author\": {\n                            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                            \"name\": \"Critter Control\",\n                            \"url\": \"http:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/\"\n                        }\n                    }\n                    <\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Pack rats, also called woodrats, have softer brown or gray fur, large, rounded ears, and noticeably hairy tails, which set them apart from other species. They average around six inches in body length and often look more &#8220;wide-eyed&#8221; or expressive than Norway or roof rats. Their appearance can surprise homeowners who expect a typical city rat but instead find a more rustic, forest-adapted species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rats-vs-mice\">Rats vs. Mice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Telling rats and mice apart helps you understand what kind of activity you&#8217;re dealing with and how quickly you may need to respond. Their size and features offer helpful clues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rats<\/strong>: Rats have thick, scaly tails, larger heads, and a heavier overall build. Their eyes are smaller and beadier, giving them a more compact, sturdy appearance. These features make them stand out when compared with the lighter bodies and finer details of mice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mice<\/strong>: Mice tend to look more delicate. They have thin, slightly translucent tails, triangular heads, pointy snouts, and noticeably large eyes and ears. Their bodies are small and streamlined, which often makes them faster and more agile than rats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Juvenile Rats<\/strong>: Juvenile rats are often mistaken for mice, but their proportions give them away. Their feet, heads, and ears look oversized for their bodies, indicating they&#8217;re young rats rather than small adult mice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-do-rats-nest-in-homes\">Where Do Rats Nest in Homes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rats usually nest in quiet, hidden spaces where they feel safe and can gather nesting materials without disturbance. However, different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/types-of-rats\/\"><u>species of rats<\/u><\/a> choose different nesting spots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Norway rats<\/strong> often stay low to the ground. They build burrows along foundations, settle in crawl spaces, or hide in basements where the environment is cooler.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Roof rats<\/strong> prefer height. These <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/where-do-rats-nest\/\"><u>rats nest<\/u><\/a> in attics, rafters, upper cabinets, and other elevated areas that give them cover and easy access to food sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pack rats<\/strong> are more common around wooded properties. They move into barns, sheds, outbuildings, or cluttered storage areas, gathering twigs and other debris to build bulky nests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re pretty sure you have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-homes\/\"><u>rats in your home<\/u><\/a>, you might wonder, &#8220;What does a rat&#8217;s nest look like?&#8221; Generally, it&#8217;s a crumpled pile of shredded paper, insulation, and other materials readily available in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-diseases-amp-hazards-from-rats\">Diseases &amp; Hazards From Rats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rats can carry illnesses such as rat-bite fever, Salmonella, and, in rare cases, Hantavirus. These diseases are uncommon in households, and the risk stays low when cleanup and removal are done correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Structural issues are more common: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-chew\/\"><u>rats may gnaw through<\/u><\/a> wires, insulation, or stored materials, leading to avoidable repairs if the activity goes unchecked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional support is the safest way to manage these concerns. Our team at Critter Control is trained to address health risks, repair damage, and prevent future problems with dependable, humane service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-critter-control-s-safe-rat-removal-process\">Critter Control&#8217;s Safe Rat Removal Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve noticed new activity around your home but aren&#8217;t sure what type of rat you&#8217;re dealing with, our team is here to help. We take a careful, humane approach that protects your family, your property, and the wildlife involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our process includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Thorough inspection<\/strong> to locate nesting areas and entry points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rat identification<\/strong> to confirm the species and guide the safest strategy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Humane removal<\/strong> using methods, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-traps-baits\/\"><u>trapping the rats<\/u><\/a>, that are designed to reduce stress on the animals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sanitation <\/strong>to clear contaminated materials and restore healthier conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exclusion and prevention<\/strong> to seal openings and help keep rats from returning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you want clear answers and dependable protection, call Critter Control. We&#8217;ll help you move forward with confidence and learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\"><u>rat removal<\/u><\/a> whenever you&#8217;re ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\">rat removal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"wildlife-form top\">\n  <div class=\"row\">\n    <div class=\"col-md-8\">\n              <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.\"),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+\"_\"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),\"filter\"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n                <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework styled-form_wrapper' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_1' ><div id='gf_1' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'><\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data' target='gform_ajax_frame_1' id='gform_1' class='styled-form' action='\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24923#gf_1' data-formid='1' novalidate> \r\n <input type='hidden' class='gforms-pum' value='{\"closepopup\":false,\"closedelay\":0,\"openpopup\":false,\"openpopup_id\":0}' \/>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_1' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'><div id=\"field_1_22\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-select gfield--input-type-select gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class=\"admin-hidden-markup\"><i class=\"gform-icon gform-icon--hidden\" aria-hidden=\"true\" title=\"This field is hidden when viewing the form\"><\/i><span>This field is hidden when viewing the form<\/span><\/div><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_22'>What do you need help with?<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_select'><select name='input_22' id='input_1_22' class='large gfield_select'     aria-invalid=\"false\" ><option value='' >Select a reason&#8230;<\/option><option value='I saw an animal in\/around my home' >I saw an animal in\/around my home<\/option><option value='I need a quote for preventative services' >I need a quote for preventative services<\/option><option value='I need follow-up or billing help' >I need follow-up or billing help<\/option><option value='I&#039;m a property manager with multiple locations' >I&#039;m a property manager with multiple locations<\/option><option value='Other' >Other<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_1'>Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_1' id='input_1_1' type='text' value='' class='large'    placeholder='Name' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_2'>Email:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_2' id='input_1_2' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Email' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_18\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_18'>Street Address<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_18' id='input_1_18' type='text' value='' class='large'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone gfield--width-half form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_3'>Phone:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_3' id='input_1_3' type='tel' value='' class='large'  placeholder='Phone' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_7\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gfield--width-half form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_7'>5 Digit US Zip \/ Canadian Postal Code:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_7' id='input_1_7' type='text' value='' class='large' maxlength='7'   placeholder='ZIP \/ Postal Code' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_5\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea form-item field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_5'>Describe Your Wildlife Issue (Optional):<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_5' id='input_1_5' class='textarea small'    placeholder='Describe Wildlife Issue (Optional):'  aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_14\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-captcha gfield--input-type-captcha gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_14'>CAPTCHA<\/label><div id='input_1_14' class='ginput_container ginput_recaptcha' data-sitekey='6LePcb0pAAAAAHqRLrAYyQZoeq5iO15FpDSJVgKv'  data-theme='light' data-tabindex='0'  data-badge=''><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_8\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_8' id='input_1_8' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_9\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_9' id='input_1_9' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_11\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_11' id='input_1_11' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_13\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_13' id='input_1_13' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_1_12' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_15\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_15' id='input_1_15' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_16\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_16' id='input_1_16' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_19\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_19' id='input_1_19' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_17' id='input_1_17' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_20\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_20' id='input_1_20' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_21\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_21' id='input_1_21' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n        <div class='gform-footer gform_footer top_label'> <input type='submit' id='gform_submit_button_1' class='gform_button button' onclick='gform.submission.handleButtonClick(this);' data-submission-type='submit' value='Request a Callback'  \/> <input type='hidden' name='gform_ajax' value='form_id=1&amp;title=&amp;description=&amp;tabindex=0&amp;theme=gravity-theme&amp;styles=[]&amp;hash=003c254d28e325ccf7a3db2dab649d80' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submission_method' data-js='gform_submission_method_1' value='iframe' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_theme' data-js='gform_theme_1' id='gform_theme_1' value='gravity-theme' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_style_settings' data-js='gform_style_settings_1' id='gform_style_settings_1' value='[]' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_1' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='1' \/>\n            \n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_currency' data-currency='USD' value='fsDfDPWplmW98GF3NrfKbXlQwsKGRfD7MlvxMZS8WEJWBP62pxoebcWx7N\/2LBWzZUq7T\/OSM5ctf6rkhufEHBIlY\/iIr29hrSs5Tv56OhA+LMY=' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_1' value='WyJ7XCIyMlwiOltcImFmOWQ2NGZmNTU2ZWU2OWQwNTdjMDk5YTU0NGIzY2RiXCIsXCIxNzFiNWVhYzBmODBhNzYzODVjZjI5Y2I3YWYyMGMyNVwiLFwiMDhiNjg5YWVkNDIxZjJjNTNlNWU3N2YzZTRiODEyZGRcIixcIjA4MGEyMzliZDg1NjgwOTFjMmQ2NGYzNTA2OTVmYzgzXCIsXCIzMDQwYTI0ODJjNmI4OTQxZmVjZDA4ZjQ2OTZmNDljN1wiLFwiMzJmOTcwMzYyMGIyZTJhYzIzNjEzM2UwYjhiOGMzNDdcIl19IiwiMTBmZWNhZTJhMzk3MGMwMGNiYjVlMjM5ZjU1YTVmYmQiXQ==' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_1' id='gform_target_page_number_1' value='0' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_1' id='gform_source_page_number_1' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' \/>\n            \n        <\/div>\n                        <\/form>\n                        <\/div>\n\t\t                <iframe style='display:none;width:0px;height:0px;' src='about:blank' name='gform_ajax_frame_1' id='gform_ajax_frame_1' title='This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.'><\/iframe>\n\t\t                <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 1, 'https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_1').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_1');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_1').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { \/* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome *\/ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').offset().top - mt); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_1').val();gformInitSpinner( 1, 'https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [1, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gf_1').offset().top - mt);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [1]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_1').text());}else{jQuery('#gform_1').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(\"gform_pre_post_render\", [{ formId: \"1\", currentPage: \"current_page\", abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]);        if (event && event.defaultPrevented) {                return;        }        const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_wrapper_1\" );        if ( gformWrapperDiv ) {            const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( \"span\" );            visibilitySpan.id = \"gform_visibility_test_1\";            gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( \"afterend\", visibilitySpan );        }        const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_visibility_test_1\" );        let postRenderFired = false;        function triggerPostRender() {            if ( postRenderFired ) {                return;            }            postRenderFired = true;            gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 1, current_page );            if ( visibilityTestDiv ) {                visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv );            }        }        function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) {            var timeout;            return function() {                var context = this, args = arguments;                var later = function() {                    timeout = null;                    if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args );                };                var callNow = immediate && !timeout;                clearTimeout( timeout );                timeout = setTimeout( later, wait );                if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args );            };        }        const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() {            triggerPostRender();        }, 200 );        if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) {            const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => {                mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => {                    if ( mutation.type === 'attributes' && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) {                        debouncedTriggerPostRender();                        observer.disconnect();                    }                });            });            observer.observe( document.body, {                attributes: true,                childList: false,                subtree: true,                attributeFilter: [ 'style', 'class' ],            });        } else {            triggerPostRender();        }    } );} ); \n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"form-caption\">\n    <h3>Get them out.<br\/>\n      Keep them out.\u00ae<\/h3>\n      Experiencing a wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control\u00ae office will contact you to assist.\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n  <section class=\"testimonials-block gutenberg-block  has_bg\" id=\"block_29d499aeafedf19453ad783a845d2a4a\" style=\"--bg-color:#f6b221\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n      <div class=\"testimonials-block__top\">\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"testimonials-block__inner\">\n      <div data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.trustindex.io\/loader.js?b8fc6472712d039a04765ace0c2\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"container\">\n      <div class=\"testimonials-block__pagination\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n  <div class=\"wildlife-detail-heading\">Quicklinks<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n  <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n    <ul class=\"link-list full\">\n                        <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/baby-rats\/\">Baby Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-repellents\/\">Do Rat Repellents Work?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/winter\/\">Do Rats Hibernate in Winter?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/dead-rat\/\">Dead Rat<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-droppings\/\">Rat Droppings<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/diseases-from-rats\/\">Diseases from Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-bites\/\">Rat Bites<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-life-cycle\/\">Rat Life Cycle<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-noises\/\">Identify Rat Noises Inside Your Home<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tracks\/\">Rat Tracks<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-traps-baits\/\">Rat Traps &#038; Baits<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tunnels-in-attic\/\">Rat Tunnels in Attic<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-cars\/\">Rats in Cars<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-crawl-space\/\">Rats in Crawl Space<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-homes\/\">Rats in Homes<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-walls\/\">Rats in Walls<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/types-of-rats\/\">Types of Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-chew\/\">What Can Rats Chew Through<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/\">What Do Rats Eat?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/where-do-rats-nest\/\">Where Do Rats Nest?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":10410,"parent":23198,"menu_order":0,"template":"","wildlife_category":[],"wildlife_tag":[],"class_list":["post-24923","wildlife","type-wildlife","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tips for How to Identify Rats: What Does a Rat Look Like?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Does a Rat Look Like?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Critter Control\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-05T21:22:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof%20Rat%20Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"143\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"95\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@crittercontrol\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/\",\"name\":\"Tips for How to Identify Rats: What Does a Rat Look Like?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-02-09T21:20:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-05T21:22:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"width\":143,\"height\":95},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Wildlife\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Pest Control for Rats\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"What Does a Rat Look Like?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Critter Control\",\"description\":\"Get Them Out. Keep Them Out. \u00ae\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Critter Control\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png\",\"width\":85,\"height\":47,\"caption\":\"Critter Control\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/CritterControl\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/crittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/crittercontrolofficial\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@crittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/critter-control\\\/about\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@officialcrittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/crittercontrolofficial\\\/\"],\"description\":\"For over forty years, Critter Control has helped homeowners and property owners protect their property from nuisance wildlife problems.\",\"email\":\"info@crittercontrol.com\",\"telephone\":\"1-800-274-8837\",\"legalName\":\"Critter Control, INC\",\"foundingDate\":\"1984-06-05\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"201\",\"maxValue\":\"500\"}},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Critters\\\/Images\\\/Roof Rat Images\\\/__thumbnails\\\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg\",\"caption\":\"\",\"inLanguage\":\"en_US\",\"width\":143,\"height\":95}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Tips for How to Identify Rats: What Does a Rat Look Like?","description":"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Does a Rat Look Like?","og_description":"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/","og_site_name":"Critter Control","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/","article_modified_time":"2026-01-05T21:22:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":143,"height":95,"url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@crittercontrol","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/","name":"Tips for How to Identify Rats: What Does a Rat Look Like?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","datePublished":"2024-02-09T21:20:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-05T21:22:52+00:00","description":"What does a rat look like? How to identify Norway rats, roof rats, etc. Contact Critter Control for rat identification and extermination services.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","width":143,"height":95},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Wildlife","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Pest Control for Rats","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"What Does a Rat Look Like?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/","name":"Critter Control","description":"Get Them Out. Keep Them Out. \u00ae","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#organization","name":"Critter Control","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png","width":85,"height":47,"caption":"Critter Control"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/","https:\/\/x.com\/crittercontrol","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/crittercontrolofficial\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@crittercontrol","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/critter-control\/about\/","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@officialcrittercontrol","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/crittercontrolofficial\/"],"description":"For over forty years, Critter Control has helped homeowners and property owners protect their property from nuisance wildlife problems.","email":"info@crittercontrol.com","telephone":"1-800-274-8837","legalName":"Critter Control, INC","foundingDate":"1984-06-05","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"201","maxValue":"500"}},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Critters\/Images\/Roof Rat Images\/__thumbnails\/roof-rat-picture-for-identification-purposes_jpg_143_95.jpg","caption":"","inLanguage":"en_US","width":143,"height":95}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wildlife"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24923\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/23198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wildlife_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife_category?post=24923"},{"taxonomy":"wildlife_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife_tag?post=24923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}