What a rat looks like: photos of domestic and wild rodents

What do rats look like: photo

Description and characteristics

Name: Rats
Latin: Rattus

Class: Mammals - Mammalia
Squad: Rodents - Rodentia
Family: Mouse - Muridae

	Habitats:	everywhere except Antarctica
	Lifestyle:	nocturnal, active, mostly semi-arboreal
	Features:	pests of the economy, stocks, vectors of diseases, experimental animals

Rats are common mammals, predominantly nocturnal and twilight inhabitants. Their average size is 400 grams and 37-40 cm. The tail is usually equal to the length of the body, sometimes even reaching 1,5 of this indicator.

Shades of wool are most often dark, less noticeable. They are gray-brown, black or dark brown. Although there are decorative subspecies with bright unusual shades or light coat colors.

Compact and nimble animals swim well and easily climb trees. Some species do not like heights, although they can climb vertical surfaces.

These rodents are highly intelligent. They live in packs, protect each other and their territories, transmit information. They are frequent members of all kinds of research, they have developed dexterity and intelligence. You can read more at the link 20 facts about ratsthat will surprise you.

Geographic distribution

Rats easily adapt to living conditions.

Rats are highly adaptable. They tolerate low temperatures, swim well and climb rocks and trees. Rodents are predominantly nocturnal, settle where they have enough space and food.

Rats can travel on ships and thus, according to many historical accounts, spread to all continents. They live almost everywhere except Antarctica. Some are ubiquitous, while others are very narrowly distributed and only on certain continents.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

Rats need regular food and enough water. You need about 25 grams of food per day, and about 30 ml of water. Rodents don't make much stock. However, they are unpretentious and omnivorous. Their taste preferences vary slightly depending on the geographical location and season. All in all, food preferences are:

Common types of rats

Rats have entered people's lives very densely. They are primarily pests, but also pets. Some types of rats are guinea pigs, and many laboratory studies are being carried out on them.

Pets

A decorative rat is a great option for a pet. They do not take up much space, but at the same time affectionate and sweet. Rodents are easy to train, cunning and inquisitive.

There are a number of breeds that can differ in size, color, and even character.

wild rats

These are representatives of rodents that are pests. They live in nature, but often climb into areas in even the dwellings of people, harming them.

gray rat

It is a pasyuk, which is the most common species. Most often they are gray-red, but there are also dark ones. Smart and quick-witted, they often go into houses and apartments.

Gray rat pasyuk.

black rat

These representatives of rodents are not always black. May be lighter. Slightly less common black ratsthan the previous ones. They are not aggressive, they attack only when they are in danger.

Black rat.

earth rat

It or a water vole. A very omnivorous and voracious rodent, capable of doing a lot of harm, but preferring to live on the slopes of reservoirs. Comes to people in case of migration or severe famine.

Earth rat.

Other types

There are a large number of rats that live on the territory of various continents and can only be found in zoos. So, Gambi hamster rat is one of the representatives of this species and is very useful. Eat marsupial rats, who bear children like kangaroos.

What to do if there are rats

Rats in the house or on the site are pests. They spoil human stocks, harm plantings, bulbs and young trees. They scare livestock and even steal eggs easily.

Separately, it is worth noting that rats are carriers of many diseases in humans and animals. Link you can read more details.

There are a number of steps that will help to avoid the appearance of rats and expel them from the site:

1. Keep clean the places of storage of vegetables and cereals, the place of residence of livestock.
2. Remove accumulations of debris from areas, thickets and reins.
3. Get pets that repel rats with their smell: cats and dogs.
4. Check for rats, mice and moles.
5. If the site is at risk, install repellers in advance.

By clicking on the links to the articles of the portal, you can get acquainted with all the possibilities for the destruction of rats on the site and prevention.

Conclusion

Rats can be different: cute pets or malicious pests. Accordingly, they either need proper care or exile.