Examples of animals that resemble a rat but are larger include otter, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.
When you think of animals that look like rats, the first thing that comes to mind is usually small brown rodents.
However, there are some animals that look like rats but are much bigger.
In this blog post, we will look at animals that look like rats but are bigger.
We will also discuss some of the characteristics that these animals share with rats.
Examples of animals that look like a rat but are bigger
Examples of animals that look like a rat but are bigger
The bandicoot rat is a large rodent found in Africa and Asia.
These animals can measure up to a meter in length, which makes 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 large rat and have a similar body shape.
Bettongs are brown or gray in color and have a long tail.
3. Bosavi Woolly Rats
3. Bosavi Woolly Rats
Scientific Name Mallomys sp Type of Animal Mammal Range Province of Papua New Guinea
The Bosavi woolly rat is a species of rodent that is native to the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea.
It is the largest member of the Murinae subfamily, which includes all 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 feeds on insects, spiders, and other small animals.
Scientific NameHydrochoerus hydrochaerisType of AnimalMammalRangePanama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina and Uruguay
The capybara is a large rodent found in South America.
It is the world’s largest living rodent and can weigh up to 140 pounds.
The capybara has reddish-brown fur and a long body with short legs.
It also has a long head with small ears.
Related article: Do capybaras have tails?
Scientific name Petromus typicus Type of animal Mammal Range Namibia, parts of Angola and northwestern South Africa
The dassie rat is a species of rodent found in southern Africa.
These animals are also known as rock rats or zygodactyls.
They are about the size of a domestic cat and have a tail almost as long as their body.
Dassie rats are expert climbers and often make their homes in rocky areas.
These animals are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of plants and seeds.
Scientific Name Octodon degus Type of Animal Mammal Range Central Chile
The degu is a small rodent found in Chile.
Degu resemble 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 Giant Hutía was a large rodent found on the island of Hispaniola.
It was the largest member of the family Capromyidae, which includes all hutias.
The giant hutia can reach a length of more than 1 meter (3 feet) and weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds).
The giant Hutia had a stout body and a short tail.
Its fur was reddish-brown to gray in color and it had a white belly.
The Giant Hutia was omnivorous and ate both plants and animals.
Scientific NameCavia porcellusType of AnimalMammalRangeSouth American Continent
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 typically weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.
These animals have short, coarse fur that is brown, black, or white in color.
They also have small, rounded ears and short, stubby legs.
Like rats, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of others.
These animals are herbivores and eat mainly hay, grass, and vegetables.
Scientific NameCapromyinaeType of AnimalMammalRangeThe Bahamas
The hutia is a large rodent found in the Caribbean.
It can be up to two feet long and has a tail that is almost as long as its body.
The jutía has a short, blunt snout and small, black eyes.
Their coat is rough and ranges in color from brown to black.
The jutía is a herbivore and its diet consists of fruits, leaves and stems.
It is a good swimmer and often climbs trees in search of food.
The jutía is nocturnal and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or in burrows it has dug.
Scientific nameJaculusType of animalMammalRanges deserts of northwest China and southern Mongolia
The gerbil is a small rodent-like creature that lives in the deserts of North Africa and Asia.
They are nocturnal animals and their diet consists mainly of insects.
These animals can jump up to three feet in the air and have long tails that help them balance when landing.
The Josephoartigasia was a large rodent that is native to South America.
It was one of the largest rodents in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of more than 1 meter (3 feet).
The Josephoartigasia had a body that was similar in shape to a rat, with a long tail and small ears.
Their fur was brown or reddish in color and their undersides were 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 Groundhog Type of Animal Mammal Range North America and Europe
Groundhogs are a type of rodent that is closely related to the squirrel.
They are large animals and have long bodies with short legs.
Groundhogs are found in North America and Europe.
They live in burrows and are active during the day.
Groundhogs are herbivorous, eating a variety of plants.
Scientific NameOndatra zibethicusType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
The muskrat is a large rodent found in North America.
It has a long body and a short tail.
The muskrat is an excellent swimmer and can stay underwater for long periods of time.
It is a competent climber and can often be seen climbing trees.
The muskrat is mainly active at night and will often be seen resting in its burrow during the day.
The muskrat has a diet that consists mainly of plants.
It will eat leaves, stems, roots, and aquatic plants.
The muskrat has also been 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 canadensisType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
The North American beaver is the largest rodent in North America and can weigh up to 60 pounds.
It is a semi-aquatic animal and builds dams and shelters in rivers and streams.
The beaver has a large head, small eyes, and fluffy tails.
Related article: Does the beaver have hair?
Scientific NameMyocastor coypusType of AnimalMammalRangeSouth America
The otter is a large semi-aquatic rodent native to South America.
Nutria can grow 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 cause damage to 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.
The pacarana is a herbivore and its diet consists of fruits, leaves and stems.
Scientific NameDolichotis patagonumType of AnimalMammalRangeArgentina
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 mara has a rat-like body with long legs and ears.
It is brown or gray in color with a white underside.
The Patagonian mara is herbivorous and feeds on grass, leaves and fruits.
Scientific NameProcavia capensisType of AnimalMammalRangeAfrica
The Rock Hyrax is a small, furry creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East.
It 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 it is actually a marsupial.
The short-tailed possum has a body that is about the same size as a rat, but has a much shorter tail.
This animal is also covered in brown or black colored fur.
Scientific NamePedetes capensisType of AnimalMammalRangeAll semi-arid areas of southern Africa
The South African springhare is a rodent-like creature found in the southern part of Africa.
It is similar to a rat in many ways, including size, body shape, and tail.
Scientific NameCtenomysType of AnimalMammalRangeSouthern half of South America
The tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a genus of rodents in the family Ctenomyidae.
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 strongly built, with short limbs and large heads.
They range in size from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in), with the largest species weighing up to 4 kg (9 lb).
The tuco-tucos are brown or gray, with a white belly.
They have long claws that they use to dig.
Animals that resemble a rat but are larger are the capybara, the degu, and the paca.
Dassie rats, Bosavi woolly rats, otters, and bandicoot rats also have similarities to a rodent, but are larger in size.
Living in South Africa, I have had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.