Which rodent has a near naked tail which is dark on the top and light on the bottom?

The Norway rat is characterized by its distinctive physical features, including a tail that is generally sparse in hair, giving it a near-naked appearance. This tail is darker on the top and lighter underneath, which helps to differentiate it from other rodent species. The tail also serves a functional purpose in thermoregulation and balance, aiding the rat in navigation through its environment.

Understanding these unique physical traits is important for recognizing and correctly identifying the Norway rat, especially in pest control and management scenarios. Other rodents mentioned, such as the roof rat, house mouse, and white-footed mouse, possess different tail characteristics that do not match the description provided. For instance, roof rats have longer, more slender tails that are typically covered with fine fur, while mice generally have proportionately smaller tails with more hair coverage.