What do rats look like? Photos and descriptions

Justified and unfounded fears

More recently, some 3 decades, articles appeared in Moscow newspapers about giant rats that were encountered in the Moscow metro. The articles claimed that the rats appeared on the surface, where they attacked passersby. These rats were comparable in size to dogs, and had red eyes, yellow plaque on their teeth and a wolfish grin. In other words, terrible monsters and quite aggressive.

With the advent of the Internet, videos of horrific-looking rodents have increasingly begun to appear on social networks. The Chinese presented a photo of a rat being held by its tail. It is believed to have been the largest mammal of its species, weighing several kilograms.

Thanks to the Internet, many people began to develop phobias towards this type of rodent, both justified and unfounded. Who would want to meet a giant rat on their way, and a hungry one at that? In fact, everything is not so simple and ambiguous, since there are different types of rats, and there are also animals that look like rats.

How big do rodents grow?

As a rule, a person mainly encounters 2 types of rats in his life - gray and black. Moreover, these representatives of the mouse genus are found almost everywhere: in sewers, in dungeons, in basements, in cellars, in abandoned buildings, in trash cans, etc.

With the onset of cold weather, as well as in conditions of lack of food, rats begin to move closer to humans, appearing in outbuildings for various purposes. Often, rats even attack humans.

Rodents of these species grow up to 25 cm in length, and the length of the tail can be the same. Even the natural size of this animal is impressive, so a number of questions arise. In fact, these rodents never grow to the size of cats, much less dogs. Adult individuals weigh no more than half a kilogram, and such weight is typical for individual individuals. The average size of a rat is no more than 350 grams. Laboratory rats are also not gigantic in size.

It simply does not make sense to breed special types of rats of enormous size, since humans do not eat them. The artificially created breed of white rat weighs no more than 500 grams and does not have an elongated body. If the rat is somewhat large, non-standard in size, then most likely the rat has free access to food and is constantly passing on food.

It is important to know! Rats, like cockroaches, can live without problems in conditions of increased radiation when other living beings cannot survive. Adapting to new conditions, rats begin to mutate. According to observations made in the exclusion zone, the appearance of huge plants, giant vegetables and fruits, cockroaches and rats is possible. Unfortunately, no special research has been carried out, so it is unknown to what size rodents can grow in the exclusion zone, but it is assumed that an increase in size is possible.

The black rat can grow up to 22 cm in length, weighing no more than 300 grams. The white rat is slightly larger in size - its weight is about 500 grams, and its length is about 30 cm.

In countries with warmer climates, larger varieties are found, which differ in that they do not harm humans, while at the same time bringing benefits.

Photos of rats

About rats.

Rats are one of the oldest animals on planet Earth: they have existed for almost 50 million years. These representatives of rodents live everywhere: from countries with a tropical climate to continents with permafrost.

Some scientists have put forward a theory that rats could be the root cause of the extinction of dinosaurs, arguing that rats destroyed eggs. Perhaps all of their eggs were eaten by rodents, or most of them, which led to a low population level and, ultimately, extinction. A similar thing happened in the last century, when all the eggs of frogs were eaten by these animals in Ireland.

Nowadays, rats that overflow the dungeons of large cities live and reproduce without losing their population even due to constant poisoning by humans and other methods of destruction.

Thanks to its sense of smell, a rat is able to detect even a small percentage of a toxic substance in food. This makes it very difficult for people to poison them. They can travel about 40-50 kilometers per day in search of food, reaching speeds of up to 10 kilometers per hour.

These rodents are distinguished by their special intelligence. Even representatives of ancient tribes mentioned these animals as the most intelligent and cunning inhabitants of the planet.

Rats are animals that live in clans of up to 200 individuals. Their body length can reach 50 centimeters, while their weight is 0.5 kilograms.

In an aggressive state, this animal is capable of attacking a person, jumping 70–80 centimeters in height.

The teeth of rats, like those of other rodents, are constantly growing, so it is vital for them to constantly gnaw hard objects, grinding down their incisors. A rat can chew through not only wood or plastic, but also concrete and metal. Because of these pests, sewer and water pipes are often damaged in large cities.

These representatives of rodents communicate using ultrasonic signals that are inaccessible to human perception. Depending on the situation and the content of the “message,” rats change the frequency. Thus, relatives can receive a signal about the location of food or the threat of danger. Scientists have discovered the fact that they can not only convey messages, but also laugh using a certain sound. Using a special device, a “laugh” was detected, more reminiscent of the “chirp” emitted by a rat at the moment when it was tickled.

These rodents have excellent memory. Scientists conducted an experiment several times in which a rat had to make its way through a maze. After some time, she was again forced to perform the same task, but blindfolded. The result was always amazing: the animal never lost its way, reaching the goal the first time.

The rat is one of the hardiest creatures on earth. Each individual is capable of staying without water longer than any other mammal; fall from a great height and not break; get food from the bottom of the reservoir; stay in the water for up to 3 days, covering 30 kilometers.

Everyone knows that rats are carriers of dangerous infections that they themselves do not get sick with, but the stress to which these animals are exposed often harms their body.

A female rat can give birth to about a hundred pups per year. Often the cubs become food for their relatives, but the population does not decrease because of this. There is a statement that there are 2 rats for every person.

Thanks to their intelligence and extraordinary endurance, these rodents have lived on earth for many millions of years, and it is unlikely that humans will be able to interfere with their lives, because the survival experience of rats is in many ways superior to humans.

Large species of rats

The Bosavi rat is considered the largest rat as it is about 82 cm long and weighs about 1.5 kg. In appearance, this rodent resembles a gray city rat with short hair.

This species of rodent was discovered in the inactive Bosavi Crater in Papua New Guinea. This rodent is absolutely peaceful and does not show any aggression. When he sees a person, he does not run away and allows himself to be petted. Prefers to live in one place and does not cause any harm.

The Bosavi rat is not found in other places, and its appearance in another place may be due to forced migration.

5 Biggest Rats in the World

Other types of huge rats

There are species of rodents that have an external resemblance to rats, but they have nothing to do with them, although they belong to the same species. Due to this, many people form the wrong opinion. If you take a photograph of a large animal that looks like a rat, and sign under the photo that it is “the biggest rat,” then out of ignorance, almost everyone will believe it.

Nezomyidae

In Africa there lives a large rat with unique abilities. This rat is called the Gambian, a giant marsupial. The animal weighs up to one and a half kilograms and grows in length to almost 90 cm.

This rodent is unique in that it has a very delicate sense of smell, even finer than that of dogs. Therefore, the animal is used to search for mines, but before that it is trained. A rodent can be trained and masters its functions faster than a dog. At the same time, the entire process of training and maintenance is much cheaper.

Interesting fact! The animal has large cheeks, which is why it was called a “marsupial,” but it does not have pouches like those of a kangaroo. The rodent hides food items in its mouth behind its cheeks when it prepares them for future use.

Cane rat

This type of rat prefers to inhabit warm countries, and therefore lives in Africa. At the same time, it can live in other countries, but in artificially created conditions close to African ones. The animal grows to a length of more than 60 cm and can weigh up to 9 kg. The animal's ears are practically invisible, and its nose is blunt, so the resemblance to a rat is minimal. If a person does not understand the species, he may assume that the rat is the result of radiation or chemicals.

Bamboo rat

At one time, a report appeared in the press that a huge rat had been discovered in China. At the same time, in the photographs one could see bamboo rats, which have nothing to do with ordinary gray pests. This species is found in China as well as other countries in Southeast Asia.

They grow up to half a meter in length and gain weight up to 4 kilograms.

Representatives of the press are often chasing information that can make a splash. Therefore, for unknown reasons, there are reports of encounters with giant rats, which are not confirmed by anything except eyewitnesses who, most likely, do not understand the species. According to scientists, there is no reason for concern, since the size of certain animals is in their genes.

Interesting Facts About Rats. The Biggest Rat has been caught!

How to distinguish an adult mouse from a baby rat

There is often confusion when comparing an adult mouse to a baby rat. Indeed, how to distinguish these mammals from each other when they have so much in common.

External resemblance to other animals

It just so happens in our time, especially with the advent of the Internet, that many take photographs of animals that look like rats and post these photos on social networks in the form of some kind of sensation.

Capybara

If you look closely at this, the largest rodent in the world, you might think that this beast is nothing more than a mixture of a wild boar, a dog and a rat. A person who does not know this animal may be very frightened, but in fact the capybara has a very peaceful character. The weight of the animal is about 65 kg, with a body length of up to 1 m 35 cm. There are known cases when similar rodents weighing more than 90 kg were encountered.

Beavers

Beavers also belong to the family of rodents and are found in many places, especially on small rivers, where they build dams. A beaver can easily be confused with a huge rat, both in the shape of its muzzle and body. At the same time, the tail has a flattened shape, similar to a wide oar. Individuals grow up to 50 cm in length and gain weight of more than 30 kg. It is in second place among the “largest rats in the world.”

Interesting fact! A beaver weighing almost 350 kg and up to 2 and a half meters long was discovered in North America. However, it is unknown how old the beaver was and what led to such genetic changes.

Nutria

Nutria is bred artificially on special farms or in private farms for two reasons. Firstly, nutria has valuable fur, so winter outerwear, hats and other accessories are made from it. Secondly, nutria has valuable dietary meat. Associated with the nutria rat due to the shape of the muzzle, as well as due to the teeth. If you don’t know, nutria can easily be confused with a large rat. It can weigh up to 12 kg, growing up to 60 cm in length.

Marmot-bayrak

This animal lives in fields, in natural conditions. With the onset of winter, the animal hibernates, so it is not visible in winter. It grows up to 70 cm in length, gaining weight up to 10 kg. As a rule, such a weight is typical in the fall, when the animal begins to stock up on nutrients for the winter. They prefer to be away from humans and, in case of danger, quickly hide in shelter (in holes).

Modern human activity leads to the fact that this harms the normal life of many living beings, including rats, although they quickly adapt to an unfavorable environment. Increased radiation, an abundance of chemistry, as well as the creation of genetically modified products - all this is a trigger to change the structures of gene chains responsible for the growth of living beings. Therefore, in our time, there is a great risk that giant rats may appear that can threaten human life. Unfortunately, this is the price to pay for a thoughtless attitude towards nature, which often leads to environmental disasters.

Most likely, the articles that occasionally appear in the press are intended to remind a person what awaits him if he continues to behave this way. Nature is a rather subtle matter that will not tolerate outside interference.

caught a giant rat in Africa!!!

How baby rats grow day by day

Watching newborn rat pups for the first time, you will be extremely surprised at how quickly their development occurs. Unlike a person, who needs a fairly long period of time to become a more or less independent being, baby rats, already 4-5 weeks after birth, have the qualities of an adult. This is largely due to the quality of the female's milk, which contains up to 9% protein, 9.5% fat and about 4% lactose. By comparison, human milk contains only 1.5% protein, 3.2% fat and 6.5% lactose.

Did you know? Newborn rat pups have very weak intestines, which causes problems with bowel movements. The female gives them a stimulating massage, licking their bellies.

If we consider the development process of newborn rat pups day by day, it happens something like this:

1 day - all that the pink, well-fed caterpillars can do is actively search for the mother’s nipple and saturate the body with nutritious milk;
Day 2 - babies continue to eat, sleep, and sometimes make a faint squeak;
4–5 days - by this time, a change in the color of the skin occurs, on which spots of the future color of the fur coat can be seen. By the way, there may even be small hairs all over the body. By the fifth day, the animals’ ears open, they can already hear everything that is happening around them;
8-10 days - babies are already quite active. Although the coordination of movements is not yet fully formed, they can already start fights for the mother's nipple. Sometimes it happens that with a large brood, the place at the “feeding trough” is occupied by stronger animals, and weak ones can simply die without food. To prevent this from happening, you need to move the saturated rat pups into a separate enclosure for a short time, giving the other kids the opportunity to drink milk. In this case, you should definitely wear medical gloves, and provide the displaced children with a warm heating pad. The baby's body is covered with neat soft fur;
12–14 days - by this age, the cubs are already teething, and many of their eyes are also opening. The appearance of an additional sensory organ makes rat pups more inquisitive. Now they can’t sit still - the animals are trying to explore everything that surrounds them. At the same time, the mother is constantly on alert, trying to gather the babies together;
Day 16 - it is already possible to distinguish the sex of the pups, since the nipples of the females are clearly visible. Thanks to their already grown teeth, babies begin to actively try their mother’s food and not only it, but also any objects encountered along the way;
21 days - by the end of the third week, complementary foods can be introduced; some babies already manage to switch to adult food by this time, eating what is intended for their mother;
Day 28 - by the end of the fourth week, you will already have fully formed baby rats. They feed on their own, and by this time the mother rat stops producing milk. Kids actively explore everything around them and happily make contact with people. It is interesting that in natural habitats, at the age of one month, a street rat pup is already capable of independently obtaining its own food and hunting.

How many days do it take for eyes to open?

Small rodents open their eyes around the end of the second week. For some it happens a few days earlier or later. The ability to not only sniff, but also examine the world around them makes babies even more active and inquisitive. They constantly strive to get out of the nest, but the caring female does not lose her vigilance, moving the cubs closer to herself.

The eyes of rats are slightly bulging and located on the sides of the head. This structure gives rats a large overview - the animals, without turning their heads, can see everything that is happening around them, as well as above and below. In this way, Mother Nature made sure that animals could see danger approaching them in time in the form of birds of prey and animals.