Rat species

Rats are the largest rodents from the family of mice, which are one of the oldest neighbors of man. These animals can be found in almost every corner of the planet. They are even inhabitants of islands located far from the mainland. Rodents can have a different coat color and even multi-colored eyes. What types of rats are the most common, this article will tell.

Not everyone knows what rats are. Many people divide these animals into street and decorative ones. However, in nature there are about 70 species of gnawing animals, which differ in appearance, size and habitat. Thus, the palm rat living on palm trees lives on the Nicobar Islands, forest rodents are common in the forests of Mexico and the United States. Its soft and barely noticeable fur cover is different rat fuzz.

There are also mammals with a flat tail and animals that do not have one. Curly-headed rats are very attractive, eared rats are distinguished by their originality. But perhaps the most well-known representatives of the rat family are the black, gray, Turkestan, black-tailed and fluff-tailed rabbit rats. Photos of rat species can be seen below.

Rat species

Gray rat

The gray rat (pasyuk) is one of the most common species of rodents living in almost all corners of the planet: in many countries of Europe, in Canada, in the north of the USA. Animals are not adapted to life only in the polar latitudes. The Pasyuki prefer to dwell in the countryside next to large pets, using their food for food. Under natural conditions, they settle where there is access to water.They feed on birds, their eggs and chicks, as well as voles and carrion.

You can meet gray rats in the city. Their favorite habitats are basements, refuse chutes, warehouses, and various outbuildings. That is why gray rats Also called granary.

The appearance of the rat familiar to many. The body length of the animal is about 25 cm, the tail is always shorter (less than 20 cm). Fur pasyukov, in comparison with their relatives, more rough and stiff. Coat color can vary from gray to red tones. In many respects it still depends on age: in young individuals, the wool is usually light gray in color, with age it turns red. In connection with which even a brown rat is often found. On the bright abdomen of the Pasyuk a clear border of flowers is visible. On the broad and blunt face there are bright whiskers, pinkish, slightly pointed ears and small black eyes.

On a note!

Gray rats are distinguished by high fecundity: up to 5-8 broods, in each of which 7-10 rat pups.

Black rat

Black rat

This kind of rat is no less common. Black rodents live in Europe and Asia, they are also found on the American, Australian and African continents.

Black rats are inhabitants of megacities. They prefer to settle on the upper floors of high-rise buildings.Very often, mammals can be found on a livestock farm. Favorite habitats of animals in the private sector include loft space. For this reason, they began to be called roofing rats. The animals are very inquisitive, they are in constant motion, exploring new territories.

Under natural conditions, black rats live in the forest zone, constructing nests from small branches and grass. They can also settle on stunted trees, feeding on plant foods, nuts, grains, or sunflower seeds. Animals do not disdain worms and mollusks. On their own, animals do not dig holes, but they are easily able to take an abandoned shelter of some small animal.

On a note!

The black rat is much less gray: the size of its body does not exceed 20 cm. It is also lighter by weight (100-350 g). Distinctive characteristic is rat's long tail - It exceeds the size of the body of the animal, unlike the gray relative.

What color rats of this species are, not everyone knows. It is surprising that the color of the rodent's hair, which has a metallic luster, can vary from black to light brown.The abdomen of the animal is often ashen or gray.

But in reproduction black rats not as prolific as their gray brethren. They do not breed in the winter season, and in one brood they have fewer cubs.

Turkestan rat

Rodent Species

If we compare the above presented rat varieties in terms of body size and external features, the Turkestan rodent will take an intermediate position between the black and gray relatives (its body length is 17-21 cm). The shape of the animal's muzzle is the same as that of the Pasyuk. Small sized ears covered with a thick short nap. The same surface has an equal length of the body tail. The back of the animal is painted in a reddish-brown color, the abdominal zone is yellow-white, less often pistachio.

Turkestan rat is found in northern India, Tashkent, Samarkand, the mountainous regions of the Western Tien Shan. In the conditions of nature, cracks for rocks, hollows, and burrows of other rodents serve as a refuge for it. Often it lives in residential and commercial buildings.

Interesting!

In the spring, the animals feed on the bulbs and seeds of plants, in the summer-autumn period they eat the fruits of various tree species and shrubs.Chicks and eggs are not excluded.

Living near the person, animals are able to breed all year round. However, in the cold season, the ability to reproduce significantly decreases. In the wild, during the year the female displays up to 4 litters, in each of which up to a dozen rats.

Black-tailed rat

The black-tailed rat is another species of the mouse family, the distinctive feature of which is the tail covered with thick hair. Animals are common in New Guinea and North Australia. Their habitat is the coastal zone of rivers and other water bodies, where, after the surf, rodents collect food thrown out by the waves. Animals hide in hollows or between thick branches of trees, where females build nests for future offspring. The presence of fur is a distinctive feature of the born rat pups. In addition, they are much faster than their relatives to see the light and grow.

Small rat

The systematics of the rat does not end there; its continuation is the small rat. The Pacific or Polynesian rodent is found in the Philippines, in New Zealand, and also in the countries of Asia and New Guinea.The habitat of the animal are forest and forest-steppe zone.

Depending on the distribution area varies the length of the body of the animal. The animals inhabiting the continental part of the continent reach 15 cm, the small rats living on the islands do not grow more than 11 cm. The animal's weight is small: only 40 to 80 g. The hair of a small rodent on the back is brown tones. Also to its distinctive characteristics include a pointed shape of the face, large ears and short legs. The tail has a length commensurate with the size of the body, and is covered with scaly ringlets.

The diet of a small rat is very diverse, it includes: seeds, fruits and parts of plants, as well as insects, spiders, eggs of birds and tiny chicks.

Small rats breed throughout the year, the reproduction process becomes especially active during the summer period.

Interesting!

During the year one adult female leads no more than 4 litters, in each of which 5-9 individuals. The newborn rat puppies are constantly protected and controlled by the female, besides she feeds them for a month with milk.

Decorative Pets

Rat Standard

One of the most popular species of ornamental rats is the standard rat breed. The animal has the most harmonious addition: it has a massive elongated body, shiny short hair, moderately wide ears and a long tail covered with hair. In terms of weight and body size, he is similar to his gray fellow. Males are larger, but less vigorous.

On a note!

Asking whether a rat is an animal or not, one can answer with accuracy that it is the most perfect animal, which is distinguished not only by physical strength and endurance, but also by intelligence. So, the standard view rats do not attack humans even with awkward treatment, because they get used to their master.

Rat sphinx

Hairless or hairless rat is a variety of ornamental rodents with no hair on their bodies. Sparse hair may occasionally be observed in the abdominal region, on the legs or head. Some representatives of this type have vibrissae (mustache). Slightly wrinkled pink skin of animals attracts not many animal lovers.

Tailless rat

From the name it is clear that the main distinguishing characteristic of this type of rat is the complete absence of a tail.Pear-shaped body is another kind of animal. Rodents of this breed are very active, intelligent and sociable. Wool they can be standard or curly appearance, as well as different colors. Often there are individuals who have no hair.

Curly rat

Rats of this type have dense, curly hair. However, on the abdomen the pile is less wavy than on other parts of the body. The guard hairs are completely absent, if they are, then in small quantities. From the side of the curly coat looks ruffled. Mustaches of such rodents compared with their fellows are less long, but more twisted.

Dumbo

Dumbo - another breed of rats. A distinctive feature of these animals are low-set ears, having larger sizes and rounded shape. Rodents have a short body, a pear-shaped head with a protruding nape, and a long tail. Wool cover can vary both in color and structural structure.

Rat with different color eyes

This kind of decorative rats is very unusual. Eyes of animals of different colors. Three colors are usually combined: black, red and dark ruby. Interesting fact about these rats - the greater the degree of contrast between the color of the eyes, the more valuable the rodent.

The coat color of decorative breed rats can be not only gray, brown, black or white, but also red, and even blue. Moreover, each tone corresponds to a certain eye color. So, black rodents always have black eyes, whites can have both black and red, ruby-colored eyes in blue rats. In addition, the coat color may not be monotonous, it may be attended by all sorts of divorces and marks.