Distribution.—The southwestern corner of the state, extending north to Aberdeen (V.B.S.) and east to Cathlamet (V.B.S.).
Rattus rattus (Linnaeus)
Roof rat
Description.—Size large, total length approximately 400 mm.; tail long, naked, comprising 50 per cent or more of total length; color sooty black or brown; in brown phase, whitish beneath.
The roof rat became established in Central America some 350 years ago, and entered the United States (English Colonies) late in the seventeenth century. Subsequent to the introduction of the Norway rat the roof rat decreased in numbers and is now found only in restricted areas.
Rattus rattus rattus (Linnaeus)
[Mus] rattus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., 1 (ed. 10):61, 1758.
Rattus rattus Hollister, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26:126, June 6, 1916.
Type.—From Uppsala, Sweden.
Remarks.—In Washington I have taken specimens of the roof rat in the San Juan Islands and in the coniferous forests on the west slope of the Cascades. In the latter area it seems to be widely spread and to live in the wild.