Which feature is listed for the Roof Rat?

• A. Tail is shorter than head and body
• B. Nose and muzzle pointed
• C. Large eyes
• D. Body heavy and thick

Answer: (B)

Roof rats are slender, agile rodents with a distinctly pointed nose and muzzle. This pointed snout helps distinguish them from heavier, blunter-muzzled rats like the Norway rat, which has a bulkier body and a less tapered face. The tail length and body shape reinforce this difference — roof rats tend to have a tail that is long in proportion to their body, not shorter. Large eyes aren’t as diagnostic for this species, and a heavy, thick body is more typical of Norway rats. So the feature that best fits roof rats is the pointed nose and muzzle.