To identify rat tracks, you should look for^{1 2 3 4 5}:

• Footprints left behind on dust, mud, or snow. Rat tracks are approximately 3/8 to 3/4 of an inch in length^{3 4}.
• Four toes on their front paws and five toes on their back paws^{1 3 4}.
• A long tail dragging on snow, which is seen between the prints of the rat².
• Claw marks in snow-filled areas³.
• Foraging paths, chewed material, droppings, and nests¹.
• Smudged appearance, as only the front half of their paws typically leaves a clear imprint, and these are often obscured by their hind feet as the pests run⁵.