Examples of animals that look like a rat but are larger include nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.
When you think of animals that resemble rats, the small, brown creatures are usually the first thing that comes to mind.
However, there are some animals that look like rats but are much larger in size.
In this blog post, we will look at animals that look like rats but are larger in size.
We will also discuss some of the characteristics that these animals share with rats.
Examples of animals that look like a rat but are larger
Examples of animals that look like a rat but are larger
The bandicoot rat is a large rodent found in Africa and Asia.
These animals can grow to be up to three feet long, making them one of the largest rats in the world.
Bandicoot rats are brown or black in color and have a long tail.
They are good climbers and often build their nests in trees.
The Bettong is a small rat-like marsupial found in Australia.
They are about the same size as a giant rat and have a similar body shape.
The bats are brown or gray in color and have a long tail.
3. Bosavi Woolly Rats
3. Bosavi Woolly Rats
Scientific nameMallomys spType of mammal Range area of Papua New Guinea
The Bosavi woolly rat is a species of rodent native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea.
It is the largest member of the subfamily Murinae, which includes Old World rats and mice.
The Bosavi woolly rat grows to a length of about 80 cm (31 in) from head to body, with a tail that is almost as long.
It has thick, brown fur that covers its entire body, except for its belly and legs.
The Bosavi woolly rat is a nocturnal creature that eats insects, spiders and other small animals.
Scientific Name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Type AnimalMammalRangePanama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay
The Capybara is a large rodent found in South America.
It is the largest living creature in the world and can weigh up to 140 pounds.
The Capybara has a reddish-brown coat and a long body with short legs.
It also has a long head with small ears.
Related article: Does Capybara have a tail?
Scientific namePetromus typicus Type of AnimalMamalRangeNamibia, parts of Angola, and northwestern South Africa
The dassie rat is a species of rodent found in southern Africa.
These animals are also called rock rats or zygodactyls.
They are about the size of a house cat and have a tail that is almost as long as their body.
Dassie rats are excellent climbers and often make their homes in rocky areas.
These animals are herbivores and their diet is mainly plants and seeds.
Scientific NameOctodon degus Type of AnimalsMammalRangecentral Chile
The degu is a small rodent found in Chile.
Degu are like large rats and can grow to be about the same size.
They have brown fur, long tails, and large ears.
Degus are social animals that live in colonies.
Degu is an omnivore and eats a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects and other small animals.
The Great Hutia was a large rodent found on the island of Hispaniola.
It was the largest member of the Capromyidae family, which includes all hutias.
The Giant Hutia can reach a length of over 1 meter (3 feet) and weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds).
Hutia Mòr had a strong body and a short tail.
Its fur was reddish-brown to gray in color, and it had a white belly.
The Giant Hutia was an omnivore, eating plants and animals.
Scientific Name Cavia porcellus Type of AnimalMamalRange Continent of South America
The guinea pig is a rodent native to South America.
These animals are often kept as pets in homes around the world.
Guinea pigs can grow to be about 12 inches long and usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.
These animals have short, coarse fur that is brown, black or white in color.
They also have small, round ears and short, slender legs.
Like rats, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of others.
These animals are herbivores and they mainly eat grass, hay and vegetables.
Scientific Name Capromyinae Type Of Mammals AnimalsRangethe Bahamas
The Hutia is a large rodent found in the Caribbean.
It can grow to be up to two feet long, and has a tail that is almost as long as its body.
The Hutia has a short, blunt nose and small, black eyes.
The fur is coarse and ranges in color from brown to black.
The hutia is a herbivore, and its diet consists of fruits, leaves and stems.
He is a good swimmer, and he often climbs trees in search of food.
The owl is nocturnal, and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or in holes it has dug.
Scientific NameJaculus Type of animalMammalChosen deserts of northwestern China and southern Mongolia
The jerboa is a small rodent-like creature that lives in the deserts of North Africa and Asia.
They are nocturnal animals and their diet is mainly insects.
These animals can jump up to three feet in the air and have long tails that help them balance when they land.
The Josephoartigasia was a large rodent native to South America.
This was one of the largest rodents in the world, with some individuals reaching a length of over 1 meter (3 ft).
The Josephoartigasia had a rat-like body, with a long tail and small ears.
His fur was brown or red, and his underside was pale.
The Josephoartigasia was a herbivore, and its diet consisted of leaves, stems and roots.
The Josephoartigasia was an excellent swimmer, and was also a good climber.
Scientific Name Marmota Type of AnimalMamalRange North America and Europe
Marmots are a type of rodent closely related to the squirrel.
They are large animals, and have long bodies with short legs.
Marmots are found in North America and Europe.
They live in burrows, and are active during the day.
Marmots are herbivores, and eat a variety of plants.
Scientific name Ondatra zibethicus Type of AnimalMamalRange North America
The muskrat is a large rodent found in North America.
She has a long body and a short tail.
The muskrat is an excellent swimmer and can stay underwater for a long time.
It is an able climber and is often seen climbing trees.
The muskrat is mostly active at night and during the day it can often be seen resting in its burrow.
A muskrat has a diet consisting mostly of plants.
It will eat leaves, stems, roots, and aquatic plants.
The muskrat is also known to eat small fish, frogs, and crayfish.
The muskrat is a popular animal for its fur.
The muskrat’s fur is thick and waterproof.
Scientific NameCastor canadensis Type of AnimalMamalRange North America
The North American beaver is the largest creature in North America and can weigh up to 60 pounds.
It is a semi-aquatic animal and builds dams and lodges in rivers and streams.
The beaver has a large head, small eyes, and furry tails.
Related article: Do beavers have fur?
Scientific Name Myocastor coypus Type of AnimalMamalRange South America
The nutria is a large semi-aquatic rodent native to South America.
Nutria can grow to be up to three feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds.
These animals have brown or gray fur, webbed toes, and a rat-like tail.
These animals are considered invasive species in many parts of the world, as they can damage native ecosystems.
The pacarana is a large rodent found in the tropical forests of South America.
It has a body length of up to 80 cm (31 in) and a tail length of up to 50 cm (20 in).
The pacarana is the largest member of the Dasyproctidae family, which also includes agoutis and acouchis.
Pacarana is a herbivore and its diet consists of fruits, leaves and stems.
Scientific Name Dolichotis patagonum Type of AnimalMamalRangeArgentina
The Patagonian Mara is a rodent found in South America.
It is the largest member of the Caviidae family, which also includes guinea pigs and chinchillas.
The Patagonian Marsh has a rat-like body with long legs and ears.
It is brown or gray in color with a white base.
The Patagonian Mara is a herbivore and eats grass, leaves and fruit.
Scientific Name Procavia capensis Species of AnimalMamalRangeAfrica
The Rock Hyrax is a small furry creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East.
Has a plump body, short legs, and long whiskers.
The Rock Hyrax looks like a cross between a rat and a guinea pig.
Short-tailed opossum
Short-tailed opossum
Scientific NameMonodelphisType of AnimalMammalRangeCentral and South America
The Short-Tailed Opossum is a species of opossum found in Central and South America.
This animal looks like a rat, but is actually a marsupial.
The Short-Tailed Opossum has a body that is about the same size as a rat, but has a much shorter tail.
This animal is also covered with fur that is brown or black.
Scientific Name Pedetes capensis Type of animalMammalRange throughout semi-arid areas in southern Africa
The South African springbok is a rodent-like creature found in southern Africa.
It resembles a rat in many ways, including its size, body shape, and tail.
Scientific Name Type of AnimalMammalChoice southern half of South America
The tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a type of rodent in the Ctenomyidae family.
Tuco-tucos are found throughout South America, from Argentina to Peru.
They are burrowing animals and live in colonies of up to 100 individuals.
These rodents are massively built, with short limbs and large heads.
They range in size from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches), with the largest species weighing up to 4 kg (9 pounds).
Tuco-tucos are brown or grey, with a white belly.
They have long claws that they use for digging.
The animals that look like a rat but are bigger are the capybara, degu, and paca.
The dassie rats, Bosavi woolly rats, nutria, and bandicoot rats are also similar to rodents but are larger in size.
Living in South Africa I had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.