What does rat feces look like? - briefly
Rat droppings are small, dark brown to black, roughly ½ inch long, cylindrical with tapered ends and a smooth surface. Fresh pellets appear moist and slightly shiny, whereas dried ones become hard and crumbly.
What does rat feces look like? - in detail
Rat droppings are small, cylindrical pellets measuring approximately ¼ to ½ inch (6–12 mm) in length and about ⅛ inch (3 mm) in diameter. Their color ranges from dark brown to black when fresh, fading to a lighter, almost gray hue as they dry. The surface is smooth and glossy, lacking any visible fibers or feathering. Edges are rounded, and the pellets are solid, not crumbly.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: 6–12 mm long, 3 mm wide.
- Shape: Straight, slightly tapered at each end, resembling tiny rice grains.
- Color: Fresh – deep brown to black; aged – lighter brown to gray.
- Texture: Moist specimens feel slick; dried specimens are hard and brittle.
- Odor: Strong, musky, ammonia‑like smell, intensifying as the material ages.
When multiple pellets are present, they often appear in clusters or linear trails along walls, baseboards, or in concealed areas such as behind appliances. Fresh droppings may retain a faint sheen from moisture, while older ones become matte and may crack along the length.
In addition to the primary pellets, rats occasionally leave occasional larger, irregularly shaped feces that contain undigested material, such as bits of food or plant matter. These are less common and typically indicate a recent, high‑volume meal.