Rats are typically distinguished from mice by their size. Usually the common name of a large muroid rodent will include the word "rat", while a smaller muroid's name will include "mouse". The common …

Jan 4, 2026 · Rat, the term generally and indiscriminately applied to numerous members of several rodent families having bodies longer than about 12 cm, or 5 inches. (Smaller thin-tailed rodents are …

Dec 2, 2025 · Learn rat facts and information from the rodent experts at EcoGuard Pest Management.

Some rodents that we call “rats” are not true members of Rattus, including the pack rat, naked mole rat, and giant pouched rat.

May 27, 2024 · A rat uses its whiskers to safely navigate its way through dark tunnels and narrow spaces. Their whiskers are doubly important because these rodents are active during the night.

The term “rat” encompasses several species within the family Muridae, the largest family of mammals. The most familiar species is the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the Norway rat, and …

Facts About Rats Rats belong to the family Muridae and the genus Rattus, which includes well-known species like the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). With their strong …

The two most widespread and studied species are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus), both of which have followed human expansion across the globe. Though sometimes …

Rat behavior often involves grooming themselves and other rats, which helps maintain social bonds and hygiene. Rats also form social hierarchies within their large groups, which are fittingly called a …

Apr 27, 2023 · With nearly 60 species of rat discovered so far, these rodents come in all sizes. They are typically 5 inches (12 centimeters), or longer, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.