Hearing strange noises in your roof late at night? Many Aussie homeowners experience this every year, and the question almost always becomes: Is it a rat or a possum?
Although both can hide in your roof cavity, these animals are completely different. Rats are invasive pests that spread disease and chew electrical wiring, while possums are protected wildlife that require legal, humane handling.
Knowing the difference between rat vs possum behaviour can save you money, prevent damage, and ensure you follow Australian wildlife laws. In this detailed guide, Marks Pest Control explains the fastest ways to identify the intruder by sound, smell, droppings, damage, and movement.
Rats and Possums: Why Correct Identification Matters
Many people mistake one for the other, leading to:
- Incorrect treatment
- More damage
- Repeated roof noises
- Illegal actions involving possums
- Dangerous exposure to rats
Since possums must only be removed by authorised professionals and rats require urgent eradication, identifying the correct species is essential.
Physical Appearance: Possum vs Rat
Rats
Rats are much smaller. They usually have:
- A long, skinny, hairless tail
- A pointed face
- Small dark eyes
- Coarse fur
- Fast, darting movement
Common Australian roof rats include the Black Rat and Brown Rat. They often slip through very small openings, sometimes as narrow as 2 cm.
Possums
Possums are significantly larger. They usually have:
- A furry or bushy tail
- Large eyes
- Rounded snout
- Thick fur
- Heavy, slow movement
Brushtail and Ringtail possums are the most common species invading Australian roofs. They make themselves at home quickly because roof spaces are warm and safe.
Noise Differences: The Easiest Way to Identify the Pest
One of the most obvious signs is sound. Rats and possums produce completely different noise patterns.
Rat Sounds
Rats move lightly, so their noises are subtle:
- Soft scratching
- Light running
- Quiet gnawing
- Rapid scurrying
- Occasional squeaks
If the sound is faint or barely noticeable, you’re likely dealing with rats.
Possum Sounds
Possums are loud and heavy. Typical noises include:
- Thumping and banging
- Heavy footsteps
- Growling or screeching
- Loud scratching
- Dragging items across the roof
If the sound is loud enough to wake you at night, it is almost certainly a possum.
Roof Location: Where They Usually Hide
Where Rats Live
Rats prefer dark, undisturbed spaces:
- Wall cavities
- Roof voids
- Behind appliances
- Under floorboards
- Garages and pantries
They build nests using insulation, paper, cardboard, and cloth materials.
Where Possums Hide
Possums typically choose:
- Roof spaces
- Garages
- Sheds
- Trees touching the roof
- Gaps in roofing tiles
Once a possum enters your roof, it often returns to the same spot daily.
Rat Poo vs Possum Poo
Droppings are one of the most reliable indicators of which animal is in your home.
Rat Droppings
Rat poo is:
- Small (1–2 cm)
- Pointed at both ends
- Dry, hard, and dark
- Scattered randomly
If you see multiple tiny pellets, you’re likely dealing with a rat infestation.
Possum Droppings
Possum poo is much larger. It is:
- Around 2–3 cm
- Oval, lumpy, or clumped
- Brown or greenish
- Moist when fresh
- Usually found in piles or clusters
If the droppings are large and in piles, that’s a strong sign of possum activity.
Damage Caused: Rat vs Possum Signs
Damage Caused by Rats
Rats constantly chew to file their teeth. They commonly:
- Gnaw on electrical wiring
- Chew timber, plastic, and plaster
- Rip open food packaging
- Leave greasy rub marks
- Damage insulation
- Create small holes
Rats pose a serious fire risk due to wire chewing.
Damage Caused by Possums
Possums don’t usually chew wiring, but they create:
- Torn insulation
- Strong urine odours
- Scratching damage on ceilings
- Large roof entry holes
- Noise damage due to heavy movement
Possums also bring leaves and nesting material into the roof.
How to Tell If It’s a Rat or a Possum Without a Table
Here is a simple explanation in words instead of a table:
If the noises are loud, heavy, and sound like footsteps, you have a possum.
If the noises are soft and fast, you likely have rats.
If the droppings are large and in piles, it’s a possum.
If the droppings are small and scattered, it’s a rat.
If the smell is strong and musky, it’s a possum.
If the smell is faint, it’s a rat.
If the roof has big entry holes, a possum made them.
If the roof gaps are tiny, rats use them.
If the damage includes chewing wires, that’s rats.
If the damage includes scratching and torn insulation, that’s possums.
What to Do If You Have a Possum
Possums are protected by Australian law.
You are not allowed to:
- Harm them
- Trap them without a licence
- Relocate them far from your home
- Seal them inside your roof
Only an expert possum handler can legally relocate a possum.
Marks Pest Control Offers Legal Possum Removal:
- Identification of possum activity
- Safe, humane trapping methods
- Installation of one-way doors
- Sealing of all entry holes
- Ensuring compliance with wildlife laws
With professional help, the possum won’t return to your roof, and your home remains safe.
What to Do If You Have Rats
Rats pose immediate risks:
- Disease spread
- Electrical fires
- Structural damage
- Rapid breeding
- Contamination of food and surfaces
Rats should be treated quickly before the infestation grows.
Marks Pest Control Rat Control Services:
- Full roof and property inspection
- Safe baiting and trapping
- Removal of nests
- Entry point sealing
- Long-term prevention
We ensure the rats are eliminated quickly and safely.
Why Professional Identification Matters
Many homeowners misjudge the animal, leading to:
- Illegal possum removal attempts
- Worsening rat infestations
- Ongoing roof noises
- Extra damage
- Avoidable repair costs
Marks Pest Control accurately identifies the pest using:
- Noise pattern analysis
- Dropping inspection
- Roof entry assessment
- Behavioural clues
- Thermal imaging (if required)
Correct identification ensures correct treatment the first time.
How Marks Pest Control Can Help You
We provide a complete service that includes:
- Same-day roof inspection
- Determining rat vs possum instantly
- Legal Possum Removal
- Professional rat control
- Roof entry sealing
- Long-term prevention solutions
Our team services homes and businesses across Australia with safe, effective, and fully compliant methods.
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between rats and possums can save you stress, money, and damage. Possums are loud, large, and protected; they must be removed humanely and legally. Rats are subtle but extremely destructive and must be treated immediately.
If you’re not sure which animal is in your roof — or if you already know — Marks Pest Control is the trusted expert for both Possum Removal and rat control across Australia.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if I have a rat or possum?
Rats make quiet scratching sounds, while possums make loud thumping and heavy footsteps.
2. What’s the difference between rat poo vs possum poo?
Rats leave small, pointed droppings. Possums leave large, clumped droppings.
3. Can I remove a possum myself?
No. Possum Removal must be performed by a professional in Australia.
4. Are rats dangerous?
Yes. They spread disease, chew wires, and multiply rapidly.
5. What should I do if I hear loud noises in my roof?
Loud noises usually indicate a possum — contact a professional possum removal expert.
6. Who can help with possum vs rat identification?
Marks Pest Control provides fast inspections and safe, professional removal.