Rats are one of the most controversial animals in the world. While some people think of them as adorable pets, others see them as nothing more than destructive vermin. But no matter your stance on rats, there’s no denying that they’re pretty exciting creatures. Did you know that rats have poor eyesight, but they make up for it with a fantastic sense of smell, hearing, taste, and touch?
Hard to believe considering all the running they do in our homes! These tiny creatures like to live in large groups and are very social. They can communicate through high-pitched squeaks that are too high for humans to hear.
They are also intelligent animals that can learn to do things like run mazes and use tools.
Types of Rats Explained
In a nutshell, a rat is a small mammal that resembles a mouse. It’s a rodent with an elongated snout, pointed ears, and whiskers. However, most rats are much larger and heavier than mice.
They are generally nocturnal and can eat almost anything—including garbage, insects, seeds, pet food, and even each other! There are different rat types, and they can easily confuse you. For example, some people refer to mice as rats. Mice are smaller with slender bodies than rats.
The “true” rat comes from the genus Rattus family. There are 66 rat species, but 64 are the only existing members of the Rattus species from the Muridae family. The most common ones that are widespread globally are the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Black Rat (Rattus rattus).
This article will focus on the genus Rattus, commonly referred to as rats. Tag along and learn everything about these small animals, which can be both cute, stubborn and destructive depending on where they are.
1. Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
The most common type of rat you’ll find in your home is the Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). It’s also known as the Norway rat, Hanover rat, Parisian rat, or the Wharf rat. These rats have brown hair on their backs, with gray fur underneath.
Their … Read the rest of the story.
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