Stories about giant mutant rats confidently take first place in popularity among urban horror legends, and various works of art actively exploit such images.
Indeed, the reader may be tickled by the mere thought that somewhere in the sewer huge rats with red eyes and yellow teeth are wandering, always hungry, cunning, capable of sooner or later getting out of their sewer abode and going in search of a victim.
And when the same person finds out that the largest rat in the world can be compared in size to a dog, he becomes even stronger in his fears.
Indeed, the largest rat known to science could easily pass for a monster straight out of the pages of a third-rate horror story. But... only externally. The fact is that such giants of the rat world do not pose a real danger to humans, because their character is completely peaceful.
The biggest rat in the world
Such a rodent is the woolly Bosavi, which was found by scientists in New Guinea. Its dimensions can reach 1 m and weight up to 1.5 kilograms. They are otherwise called giant marsupial rats.
The woolly Bosavi is similar in size to a small dog. They are not shy and friendly towards humans. This is due to the fact that they were found far from civilization, and the animals had no contact with people. You can even pick them up and stroke them without fear; the rodent will not bite.
Large closest relatives of rats
There are many wild rodents on planet Earth that resemble pasyuks in appearance. Of course, fans of horror stories often photograph relatives of rats to confirm tales of aggressive gray mutants, but these mammals have nothing to do with the genus Rattus.
Giant pouched rat
The giant marsupial or Gambian rat lives in Africa; the large rodent grows up to 90 cm in length, with a body weight of up to 1.5 kg. In appearance, the smartest mammal, indeed, resembles a huge gray pasyuk, but is a close relative not to rats, but to mice.
In addition, the marsupial rat in no way belongs to the marsupial animals that have a pouch for bearing newborns. The cubs of the huge rodent are born ready for life in the external environment and live with their mother in a nest.
The name “marsupials” was given to large African animals for the large cheek pouches in which Gambian rats carry food like hamsters.
Giant pouched rat
The giant rodent, like pasyuki, is an omnivore that uses fruits, vegetables, termites and snails for food. Unlike rats, the African mammal suffers from poor eyesight, which is more than compensated by a very developed sense of smell. This feature of the African rodent is successfully used by the Belgian organization ARORO, which trains intelligent animals in the detection skills of tuberculosis and anti-personnel mines. Thanks to its high intelligence and peaceful nature, the giant marsupial rat even became a pet in southern countries.
Great cane rat
Another large rodent that lives along the shores of African water bodies. The favorite habitat of the large cane rat is thickets of bushes near rivers and lakes, swampy places, cultivated plantations and human settlements. The fluffy mammal has a very dense build; with a height of 60 cm, it reaches a weight of up to 9 kg. The local population successfully hunts reed rats, using the animal's meat for food.
Great cane rat
A well-fed rodent swims very well and often spends most of its time in the water. Unlike the omnivorous grass rats, cane rats are exclusively herbivores, feeding on sugar cane, corn, pumpkins, yams and elephant grass. Attacks by numerous flocks of large rodents cause serious damage to agriculture, so African farmers use pythons and mongooses that eat pests to protect their fields.
Large bamboo rat
A large, furry rodent that lives in southern China, northern Burma and Thailand. The large animal grows up to 50 cm and has a body weight of up to 4 kg. The main habitat of the large mammal is burrows and long underground passages, which rodents dig with their powerful claws. The animal feeds on plant foods: bamboo roots and stems, as well as the fruits of tropical trees.
Large bamboo rat
A large bamboo rat became the star of Internet videos after a Chinese resident caught a huge specimen of this species weighing 11 kg!!! But, unfortunately, this record was not recorded anywhere, and remained only in the form of an impressive photograph of a short Chinese man with a giant gray rodent in his hands.
Capybara
The capybara or capybara is rightfully considered the largest rodent on the planet. Animals have a body length of 1-1.4 m with a weight of up to 65 kg. Externally, the capybara resembles a huge, well-fed guinea pig, but not a rat, so it is extremely difficult to mistake a waterfowl rodent for a huge goat. The mammal, unlike rats, has a large rounded head with a blunt muzzle, a massive overweight body with short legs with swimming membranes.
Capybara
The capybara lives exclusively in countries with warm climates: Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay. Capybaras choose the banks of large rivers for their homes, but when there is a lack of food, the animals move overland over long distances. For nutrition, rodents use only plant foods. Due to their large size and tasty pork-like meat, capybaras are bred on farms in Venezuela. Mammal skin is used to make leather goods, and the fat is used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Large pet rats
You can often find some types of rats as pets. With different colors, sizes, habits. Keeping rodents does not require large expenses; they are unpretentious. Both special food from a pet store and human food are suitable as food. Unfortunately, they are not long-lived; they live 2-4 years. Therefore, it is not recommended for overly impressionable people to have such a pet. What are the largest domestic rats?
Breed "standard"
They are the largest and most common among domestic rodents. The pet can grow up to 30 cm in length and reach a weight of 300-500 grams. They are friendly towards humans and do not bite.
They quickly get used to it and can sit on their hands or shoulder for hours. Their cage needs to be cleaned at least once a week. There must be fresh water in the drinking bowl, and there must be grain in the feeder. Cases of their friendship with other pets are not uncommon. They live from 2 to 4 years.
Large brown rats
They are also among the large domestic rodents. They grow up to 20 cm in length and weigh 100-150 grams. They are also omnivorous and unpretentious. They love to be taken out for walks. There is a slight inconvenience in this, because not all people have a positive attitude towards rats, even domestic ones. Another disadvantage is that this species lives only 2 years, sometimes up to three years.
Rats "Dumbo"
They differ from other species in the structure and location of their ears. The Dumbo breed's ears are round and wide, protruding, and positioned lower than those of other species. They reach 18-20 cm in length and can weigh from 250 to 500 grams. The body shape of the animals is similar to a pear. Females of this species are slightly smaller. Rodents are very affectionate and can remember their name. They eat grains, greens, vegetables. The Dumbo breed is also fed boiled and raw chicken, fish, and cottage cheese. Rodents live 2-3 years, but with proper care they can live from 4 to 5 years.
Bamboo rat | 48 centimeters
Bamboo rats are a type of burrowing rodent and are the largest in the mole rat family. Bamboo rats can grow up to 48 centimeters in body and have a tail length of 15 cm. In particular, they lead an underground lifestyle. The animals have small eyes and small ears. They have very large teeth and strong claws, which they need for digging burrows. Rodents choose bamboo thickets as their habitat. Their main food is bamboo roots, stems, seeds and other plant fruits. This species is usually common in Asian countries: China, Thailand, etc.
Wild big rats that live in Russia
In Russia, rats can be found almost everywhere. They live in natural conditions and often settle near human habitation. Among them are such species as: black and pasyuk (gray).
Pasyuk often lives in sewers, basements, warehouses, and sheds with animals. They grow up to 25 cm, the tail is about the same length. The weight of this species reaches 400 grams. Rarely, but there are individuals weighing 500 grams.
There are known cases when a gray rat attacked a person. True, she does this mainly for self-defense. They are omnivores and accumulate in large numbers in landfills and garbage dumps. They are carriers of various diseases. Capable of chewing through metal and concrete. They multiply very quickly. At the age of three months they are able to bear offspring. The number of pups in a litter reaches 20.
Chernaya settles mainly in the southern regions of Russia. Prefers dry rooms and attics. But in nature it settles near rivers and lakes. And their favorite habitat is sea ships.
The black rat is smaller in size than the Pasyuk. It is up to 22 cm long, with a tail of 28 cm. And the weight of this species is from 130 to 300 g. The coat color is black, hence the name of the species. It eats grains, fruits, vegetables, worms, insects, bird eggs. There can be up to 15 pups in the litter. The lifespan of these rodents in nature is on average 1 year.
Potoroo
Another kangaroo rat takes fifth place in the list of the largest similar rodents. A potoroo can reach a size of 41 cm. The tail of these animals grows up to 32 cm. The hind limbs of rodents are more developed, which allows them to move by jumping, like a kangaroo. Animals are found in Australia. They make nests for themselves in steppe and wooded areas. Potoroos feed on plants, fungi and insects.
Mutant rats
You can often hear incredible stories about gigantic rodents inhabiting subways and abandoned military facilities. But all this is just a wild fantasy of people who are bored of living without myths. And the yellow press thus attracts readers, increasing the sales of their newspapers and magazines.
Someone, having read it, retells it and exaggerates it to make it look more impressive. In fact, the largest rat in Russia is the Pasyuk. In subway tunnels, at military installations, they are all the same as in everyday life, in full view of people. There may be larger specimens, but this is not the result of mutation, but simply from the “good” life of rodents.
Big rat kangaroo | 55 centimeters
The large rat kangaroo belongs to the family of marsupial mammals. The length of the animal's body can reach 55 centimeters, and the length of the tail is 40 cm. The rodent resembles a kangaroo: its hind legs are larger and much longer than the front ones. It moves in leaps and bounds, but can also move on all four legs. This species has 34 teeth and canines are very well developed. The rat kangaroo has a well-developed brood pouch, where the development of the baby embryo occurs. The animals live in grass nests that they build themselves, or in rabbit holes. They feed on vegetation, mushrooms and root crops. They lead an active nocturnal lifestyle. The kangaroo rat is a rare species, particularly common in Australia.
Animals that look like rats
Almost any rodent can be called a rat. This is facilitated by the rat-like structure of these animals. However, they belong to different species and not to the same species.
Such animals include:
- Capybara. It is the largest rodent in the world. Its appearance simultaneously resembles a rat, a dog and a boar. It reaches a length of 1.35 m, a height of 60 cm, and the weight of adult animals is from 65 to 90 kg.
- Beaver. Lives near bodies of water. It feeds on tree bark and young shoots. It grows up to 1.3 m in length and weighs up to 32 kg.
- Nutria. Lives near bodies of water and is an excellent swimmer. Feeds on plant foods. It grows up to 60 cm in length and weighs up to 12 kg.
- Marmot-boobak. These animals live in deep burrows located in the steppe. They weigh up to 10 kg and reach a length of up to 70 cm. The diet of marmots includes plant foods, as well as insects. Rodents live up to 10 years.
- Mongoose. This animal is also somewhat similar to a rat. Only he has a fluffy tail. It grows, depending on the species, from 18 to 75 cm, weight from 280 g to 5 kg. It lives for about 8 years, but at home or in a zoo it lives twice as long. It feeds mainly on protein foods.
Musk kangaroo
The seventh position in the ranking of the largest rats goes to musk kangaroos. These rodents have a musky odor and a brood pouch, which is how they get their name. The animals grow up to 35 cm in length. They feed on plants and insects or worms. Musk kangaroos can easily move on the ground and climb trees. They prefer to live in the wild and build nests near bodies of water.
Giant Afghani and Pakistani rats
This is another story from the section of myths and legends. It dates back to the 80s, associated with owners of dachshund dogs. As if the behavior of these pets was similar to the habits of rats.
The animals could spontaneously attack the owner and bite him. And when examined by veterinarians, it seemed to turn out that this was not a dachshund at all, but a giant rat from Afghanistan or Pakistan, sold to the owner in order to deceive him.
In fact, the rats in these countries are the same as in Russia. But a rodent has not yet been found in nature that is so similar to a dog.
Papuan rat | 1 meter
Papuan rats are one of the largest rodents known to science. They live on the island of Papua (New Guinea). The body length of giants can reach 1 meter, the tail - 30 cm. Externally, the large rodent resembles an ordinary beaver, the difference is only in size. Papuan rats live in the mountains, in the mouths of extinct volcanoes. Thanks to their thick fur, animals can survive even in the harshest climatic conditions.
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Prehistoric rats
Scientists have found that ancient rodents lived in South, Central and southern North America. From excavations of skeletons, it was found that prehistoric rats were much larger than their modern relatives. Externally similar to beaver, capybara, pacarana. Ancient rats (telikomys, phoberomys) grew up to 2 m, and their weight reached 680 kg. Mostly ancient individuals ate plant foods, but there were species with other preferences.
Rats are very interesting, and having studied their habits, a person will not be so wary of them. Rodents are used in laboratories, and in some countries they are eaten. But there are also countries where rats are revered and protected as sacred animals. There is even a temple in India where rats are fed, watered and protected from trouble. Now you know which rats are truly the largest in the world.
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Justified and unfounded fears
In the last century, Moscow newspapers published an article about giant species of rats that were found in the outback of the local metro. They began to crawl to the surface and attack people. The giant rats were similar in size to dogs, had red eyes, yellow plaque on their teeth, and a terrible grin. Large monsters with a terrifying appearance.
With the development of the global Internet, horror stories about rodents increasingly began to appear on the pages of websites. The Chinese presented a photo of the largest rat in the world, holding the huge monster by the tail. The weight of the animal reached several kilograms.
Thanks to such horror stories, people began to have justified and unfounded fears. No one wants to meet a hungry monster with a terrible look on their way. How big can a rat grow? Is there any reason to worry?
Where live
The name giant rat is applied to various species of large rodents. They live:
Africa
- Gambian, Cricetomys gambianus;
- Giant genus Cricetomys;
- Malagasy, Hypogeomys antimena.
Asia and New Guinea
- Flores, Papagomys armandvillei;
- Mountain giant Sunda, Sundamys infraluteus;
- Giant southern Phloeomys cumingi with thin tails, northern Luzon Phloeomys pallidus;
- Giant white-eared rats, Hyomys dammermani, Hyomys goliath;
- Great bamboo, Rhizomys sumatrensis.
South America
- Nutria or river rat;
- Capybara, genus Hydrochoerus;
- Woolly, Kunsia tomentosus;
- Burrowing, Kunsia.
Extinct species
- East Timorese, genus Coryphomys
- Tenerife, Canariomys bravoi.
Gambian marsupial
It is also called the hamster rat. The name of this subspecies comes from the animal’s ability to carry food in its cheek pouches, like a hamster. Lives on the African continent. Giant rodents, the length of individual individuals of which can reach up to ninety centimeters, have a body weight of no more than one and a half kilograms.
Gambian rats tend to be pets. They are also easy to train, which makes it possible for them to be used by special services when searching for explosives.
Rat breeds with coat characteristics
Rats are subjected to the greatest number of experiments and experiments, so that each owner can find that representative of the species whose fur he likes.
If you have allergies, it is better to choose sphinx rats , their body is naked. There are also rats with curly, wavy or long fur.
The longer the hair on the rat's body, the more often the pet will have to be washed due to contamination of the fur.
Rats of the " Rex " breed have a special coat, it looks tousled, raised as if after a little styling, the hairs look in different directions. A very unusual species of rat in its external properties.
There is a subspecies of the " Double Rex ", which can be covered with long down, while the standard coat is absent.
Satin rats have long and very shiny hair, so they immediately attract attention. This breed is rare, but very beautiful and looks extremely cute and well-groomed.
Whatever rat a person chooses as a pet, one should be responsible for its maintenance and care!
Oddly enough, among all types of decorative rodents, domestic rats are becoming increasingly popular. These animals are very friendly, easy to care for, do not require much space to keep, and can always cheer you up. Moreover, it is believed that rats are very intelligent creatures, smart, cunning, and have a good memory.
There are a huge variety of rat breeds, which differ in size and type of fur. The main ones are presented in the photo below.
