In which environment do roof rats typically thrive?

Roof rats, also known as black rats, are most commonly found in urban areas. These environments provide them with abundant resources, including food and shelter. Urban areas often have numerous buildings, which offer ideal nesting sites, such as attics and roofs where these agile climbers can easily reside. The proximity to human food sources, including trash and stored goods, helps sustain their populations.

While roof rats can occasionally be found in other environments, they are particularly adept at adapting to urban settings where they can exploit the structures and food availability provided by human habitation. In contrast, open fields, woodlands, and deserts present harsher conditions with fewer opportunities for finding shelter and food, making them less suitable for this species.