How Big Are Rats?

A rat is a medium-sized rodent. The bodies of rats are generally longer than twelve centimetres, which is approximately five inches. Rats are usually larger in size than their close relatives, the Old World mice. The average weight of a rat is no more than one pound or half a kilo. They are approximately the same size as squirrels.

When zoologists talk about true rats, they are generally referring to black rats and brown rats. These two species of true rats belong to the genus which is known as Rattus. The scientific name of the black rat is Rattus rattus and the scientific name of the brown rat is Rattus norvegicus.

Rats normally live for a period of between two years and five years, though their approximate life span is a period of three years.

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