Examples of animals that look like rats but are larger are the nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.
When you think of rat-like animals, the first thing that comes to mind is usually small, brown rodents.
However, there are some animals that are similar to mice but much larger in size.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at animals that are similar to mice but larger in size.
We will also discuss some of the characteristics that these animals share with mice.
Examples of Animals That Look Like a Mouse but Are Bigger
Examples of Animals That Look Like a Mouse but Are Bigger
The Bandicoot mouse is a large rodent found in Africa and Asia.
These animals can grow up to a meter long, making them one of the largest rats in the world.
Bandicoot mice are brown or black in color and have a long tail.
They are good climbers and usually make their nests in trees.
The Bettong is a small mouse-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 Mice
3. Bosavi Woolly Mice
Scientific NameMallomys spAnimal SpeciesMammalRangeprovince of Papua New Guinea
The Bosavi woolly mouse is a species of rodent native to the 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 from head to body to about 80 cm (31 in) long, with a tail of almost the same length.
It has thick, brown fur that covers its entire body except its belly and feet.
The Bosavi woolly mouse is a nocturnal creature that feeds on insects, spiders and other small animals.
Scientific NameHydrochoerus hydrochaerisAnimal SpeciesMammal RangePanama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina and Uruguay
Capybara is a large rodent found in South America.
It is the world’s largest living rodent and can weigh up to 140 kilograms.
The capybara has reddish-brown fur and an elongated body with short legs.
It also has a long head with small ears.
Related Article: Do Capybaras Have Tails?
Scientific NamePetromus typicusAnimalSpeciesMammal RangeNamibia, parts of Angola, and northwestern South Africa
The Dassie rat is a species of rodent found in South Africa.
These animals are also known as rock mice or zygodactyls.
They are about the size of a house cat and have a tail almost as long as their body.
Dassie rats are adept climbers and often make their homes in rocky areas.
These animals are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of plants and seeds.
Scientific NameOctodon degusAnimalTypeMammal RangeCentral Chile
Degu is a small rodent found in Chile.
Degu are similar to large rats and can grow to the same size.
They have brown fur, long tails and large ears.
Degular are social animals that live in colonies.
The degu is omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects and other small animals.
The giant 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 more than 1 meter (3 feet) long and weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds).
The giant Hutia had a solid body and a short tail.
Its fur was reddish brown to gray and it had a white belly.
The giant Hutia was an omnivore that ate both plants and animals.
Scientific NameCavia porcellusAnimalSpeciesMammalRangeSouth American continent
The guinea pig is a rodent native to South America.
These animals are often kept as pets in homes all over the world.
Guinea pigs can grow to be about 12 inches long and typically weigh 2 to 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 primarily hay, grass and vegetables.
Scientific NameCapromyinaeAnimal SpeciesMammalRangethe Bahamas
Hutia is a large rodent found in the Caribbean.
It can grow up to two meters in length and has a tail almost as long as its body.
Hutia has a short, blunt nose and small black eyes.
Its fur is coarse and its color varies from brown to black.
Hutia 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.
Hutia is nocturnal and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or in burrows they dig.
Scientific NameJaculusAnimal SpeciesMammalRangeDeserts 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 consists mostly of insects.
These animals can jump up to a meter in the air and have long tails that help them balance when they land.
Josephoartigasia was a large rodent 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 ft).
Josephoartigasia had a rat-like body in shape, with a long tail and small ears.
Its fur was brown or reddish, and its underside was pale.
Josephoartigasia was a herbivore and its diet consisted of leaves, stems and roots.
Josephoartigasia was an excellent swimmer and also a good climber.
Scientific NameMarmotaAnimalTypeMammal RangeNorth America and Europe
Marmots are a species 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 feed on a variety of plants.
Scientific NameOndatra zibethicusAnimalSpeciesMammalRangeNorth 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 a long time.
He is a master climber and is often seen climbing trees.
The muskrat is mainly active at night and is often seen resting in its burrow during the day.
The muskrat has a diet consisting mostly of plants.
It eats 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 fur of the muskrat is thick and waterproof.
Scientific NameCastor canadensisAnimalTypeMammal RangeNorth 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 huts in rivers and streams.
The beaver has a large head, small eyes and fluffy tails.
Related Article: Do Beavers Have Fur?
Scientific NameMyocastor coypusAnimalTypeMammal RangeSouth America
Nutria 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 mouse-like tail.
These animals are considered invasive species in many parts of the world as they can harm local ecosystems.
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).
Pacarana is the largest member of the Dasyproctidae family, which also includes agutis and acouchis.
Pacarana is a herbivore and its diet consists of fruits, leaves and stems.
Scientific NameDolichotis patagonumAnimalTypeMammal RangeArgentina
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 mouse-like body with long legs and ears.
It is brown or gray in color with a white underside.
The Patagonian Mara is a herbivore and feeds on grasses, leaves and fruit.
Scientific NameProcavia capensisAnimalTypeMammal RangeAfrica
The Rock Hyrax is a small, furry creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East.
It has a full body, short legs and long whiskers.
Rock Hyrax looks like a mix of mouse and guinea pig.
Short Tailed Opossum
Short Tailed Opossum
Scientific NameMonodelphisAnimalTypeMammal RangeCentral and South America
The Short-Tailed Opossum is a species of opossum found in Central and South America.
This animal looks like a mouse, but is actually a marsupial.
The Short-Tailed Opossum has a body about the same size as a rat, but its tail is much shorter.
This animal is also covered with brown or black colored fur.
Scientific NamePedetes capensisAnimal SpeciesMammal Prevalence in semi-arid regions of southern Africa
The South African Springhare is a rodent-like creature found in southern Africa.
It is similar to a mouse in many ways, including its size, body shape, and tail.
Scientific NameCtenomysAnimal SpeciesMammalRangeSouthern half of South America
Tuco-tuco or Ctenomys is a genus of rodents in the family Ctenomyidae.
Tuco-tucos are found in South America, from Argentina to Peru.
They are burrowing animals and live in colonies of up to 100 individuals.
These rodents are heavily 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 pounds).
Tuco-tucos are brown or gray with a white belly.
They have long claws that they use for digging.
Animals similar to rats but larger are the capybara, degu, and paca.
Dassie mice, Bosavi woolly mice, nutria, and bandicoot mice also have similarities to a rodent but are larger in size.
While living in South Africa I had the pleasure of seeing many of these animals up close and personal.