rat

Rats are medium-sized rodents belonging to the genus Rattus, native to Asia and spread globally with human populations. The most common species are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the house rat (Rattus rattus).1

Physical Characteristics

Rats typically have slender bodies, pointed heads, large eyes, and prominent ears. Their tails are long and thinly furred, often nearly as long as their bodies. Brown rats are larger than house rats, with thicker fur and more mammary glands.1

Diet and Behavior

While often considered omnivorous, rats have varied diets depending on their habitat. They can be pests, damaging property and contaminating food supplies. They are also known to carry diseases transmissible to humans. However, brown rats are also vital in biomedical research and some rats are kept as pets.21

Classification

Rats are part of the order Rodentia, which includes over 2,050 species of mammals characterized by continuously growing incisors. The family Muridae contains the true rats and mice.3