Rat
Black Rat Facts
| Size | 6.2-9.4 inch (16-24 cm) (body length) |
| Speed | Up to 6.2 mph (10 km/h) |
| Weight | 7-14 oz (200-400 g) |
| Lifespan | 2-5 years |
| Food | Grains, fruit, seeds, roots, mice, fish, invertebrates, eggs |
| Predators | Owls, snakes, raccoons, cats |
| Habitat | All over the world |
| Order | Rodents |
| Family | Murids |
| Scientific name | Rattus |
| Characteristics | Long tail |
The Difference Between the Black Rat and the Brown Rat
Unlike the brown rat, the black rat is on the skinny side. The black rat’s ears and eyes are proportionately sized and their snouts are very pointy. The brown rat’s tail is shorter than its body, while it’s the other way round for the black rat.
Prevalence
The black rat, or house rat, was spread across the globe on ships. That’s why they’re also called “ship rats”. They originally lived in warm rocky landscapes in the Himalayas.
Rats as Holy Animals
Rats are considered holy in India, as they are loyal companions and steeds for the Indian god Ganesha.
The Rat - Spreader of Disease
Sometimes, feral rats suffer from rat fleas, which carried the plague. It can spread to humans (and vice versa). This is how rats spread the plague, and other diseases.
Life Expectancy
A house rat can live for up to three years. But they sometimes even make it to six.
Good Sense
Rats have an exceptional sense of smell. They even recognize fellow rats by their smell. They use their beard hairs as an echo sounder. They make a sound and then use their hairs to work out the echo.
The Rat - a Star Athlete
For their size, rats are real star athletes. They can run at up to 6.2 mph (10 km/h) and keep up with a trained jogger. In theory.
Of course, this small animal couldn’t keep up such a high speed for a whole jog. But they would manage 6.2 ft (10 m) in 3.6 seconds. For their size, this is remarkable.
This fact sheet was submitted by animalfunfacts.net fan L.R. Thanks for your amazing article! Do you want to write a fan fact sheet?
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Video: All About Animal Senses - like the rat’s sense of smell!
