# Old World Rats (*Rattus*) Old World Rats are clever little animals that live in many places around the world. They have long tails and love to explore, making them great at finding food and shelter. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Old World Rats](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/WildRat.jpg&width=800) Photo: Reg Mckenna, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WildRat.jpg) ## Appearance The Old World Rats have sleek, usually grey, brown, or black fur, often lighter on their undersides, and large, prominent ears. They possess a long, scaly, often hairless tail, typically longer than their body, distinguishing them from many other small rodents. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Muridae - **Genus:** Rattus ## Interesting facts - A group of rats is called a 'mischief,' because they can be quite mischievous! - Rats are very social, often living in large family groups and even helping each other. - Rats can taste tiny amounts of poison, helping them avoid harmful foods. - They are clever problem-solvers, able to learn complex mazes and remember solutions. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffers:** Old World Rats can detect tiny scent particles because of their incredible sense of smell that helps them find hidden food and avoid danger. - **Agile Climbers:** Old World Rats can scale rough surfaces with ease because of their sharp claws and strong limbs that help them reach high places for shelter or food. - **Whisker Wizards:** Old World Rats have highly sensitive whiskers that help them navigate in complete darkness by feeling vibrations and textures around them. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.075-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Litter Size:** 6-12 - **Gestation:** 21-23 days ## Diet & Feeding These opportunistic eaters munch on almost anything they find, from seeds to scraps. - **Primary Foods:** Grains, Seeds, Fruits, Insects, Garbage, Small invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Common predators in urban and rural settings. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Many dog breeds hunt rats, especially terriers. - **Eats:** [Wheat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wheat) (*Triticum aestivum*) — Rats feed on wheat grains in fields and storage. - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Rats rely on human settlements for food and shelter. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low It's best to watch rats from a distance and not try to touch them, as they can be scared and bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Old World Rats? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Old World Rats? 15-25 cm ### How much does Old World Rats weigh? 0.075-0.6 kg ### How long does Old World Rats live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Old World Rats move? 10 km/h ### What does Old World Rats eat? These opportunistic eaters munch on almost anything they find, from seeds to scraps. ### Where is Old World Rats usually found? Urban areas ### How does Old World Rats hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Denny Blaine Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denny-blaine-park) — Washington, US · Park ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Old World Rats: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/old-world-rats)