21 Animals That Look Like a Rat But Are Actually Much Larger

Examples of animals that look like rats but are bigger include nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.

When you think about animals that look like mice, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a small, brown rodent.

However, there are some animals that look similar to mice but are much larger in size.

In this blog post, we will look at an animal that looks like a rat but is much bigger.

We will also discuss some features that this animal shares with the mouse.

An example of an animal that looks like a mouse but is big

An example of an animal that looks like a mouse but is big

The bandicoot rat is a large rodent found in Africa and Asia.

This animal can grow up to three meters in length, making it one of the largest rats in the world.

The bandicoot rat is brown or black in color and has a long tail.

They are good climbers and often build their nests in trees.

Bettong is a small, rat-like marsupial found in Australia.

Its size is about the same as a big rat and its body shape is the same.

Bettongs are brown or gray and have a long tail.

3. Bosavi Woolly Rat

3. Bosavi Woolly Rat

Scientific Name Mallomys spType AnimalMammalRangeprovince Papua New Guinea

The Bosavi hairy mouse is a species of rodent that originates from the rainforests of Papua New Guinea.

It is the largest member of the subfamily Murinae, which includes all Old World rats and mice.

The Bosavi hairy mouse is about 80 cm (31 inches) long from head to body, and its tail is almost the same length.

It has thick brown fur that covers the entire body, except for the belly and legs.

The Bosavi hairy mouse is a nocturnal creature that eats insects, spiders, and other small animals.

Scientific NameHydrochoerus hydrochaerisType AnimalMammalRangePanama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay

Capybara is a large rodent found in South America.

It is the largest living rodent in the world and can weigh up to 140 pounds.

Capybara has a red-brown coat with a long body and short legs.

It also has a long head and small ears.

Related Articles: Do Capybaras Have Tails?

Scientific NamePetromus typicusType of AnimalMammalRangeNamibia, 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.

Its size is about the size of a house cat and it has a tail that is almost the same as its body.

The Dassie rat is an adept climber and often makes its home in rocky areas.

These animals are herbivores and their diet mainly consists of plants and seeds.

Scientific NameOctodon degusAnimal TypeMammalRangecentral Chile

The degu is a small rodent found in Chile.

Degu is like a big mouse and can grow to the same size.

They have brown fur, long tails, and big ears.

Degus are social animals that live in colonies.

Degu is omnivorous and eats 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.

This is 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).

Giant Hutia has a stout body and a short tail.

Its fur is reddish brown to gray, and its belly is white.

The Giant Hutia was an omnivore, eating both plants and animals.

Scientific NameCavia porcellusTypes of AnimalsMammalsSouth American Continent

Guinea pig is a rodent that comes from South America.

These animals are often kept as pets in homes around the world.

Guinea pigs can be about 12 inches long and usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.

This animal has short, rough fur that is brown, black, or white in color.

They also have small, rounded ears and short, stubby legs.

Like mice, guinea pigs are social animals that like others.

These animals are herbivores and mainly eat hay, grass, and vegetables.

Scientific NameCapromyinaeTypes of AnimalsMammalRangethe Bahamas

Hutea is a large rodent found in the Caribbean.

It can grow up to two feet in length, and has a tail that is almost the same as its body.

Hutia has a short, blunt muzzle, and small, black eyes.

The fur is coarse and the color varies from brown to black.

Hutia is a herbivore, and its food consists of fruits, leaves, and stems.

It is a good predator, and often climbs trees in search of food.

Hutea is nocturnal, and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or holes that have been dug.

Scientific NameJaculusTypes of AnimalsMammalsThe range of deserts in northern China and southern Mongolia

Jerboa is a small rodent that lives in the deserts of North Africa and Asia.

It is a nocturnal animal and its diet consists mostly of insects.

These animals can jump up to three feet in the air and they have a long tail that helps them balance when they land.

Josephoartigasia is a large rodent native to South America.

It is one of the largest rodents in the world, with some individuals reaching a length of over 1 meter (3 ft).

Josephoartigasia has a body that is similar to a mouse, with a long tail and small ears.

The fur is brown or reddish, and the lower part is pale.

Josephoartigasia is a herbivore, and its diet consists of leaves, stems, and roots.

Josephoartigasia was an excellent swimmer, and he was also a good climber.

Scientific Name Marmota Animal Type Mammal Range North America and Europe

Marmots are a type of rodent that is closely related to squirrels.

It is a large animal, with a long body and short legs.

Marmots are found in North America and Europe.

They live in burrows, and they are active during the day.

Marmots are herbivores, and they eat a variety of plants.

Scientific Name Ondatra zibethicus Animal Type MammalRange North America

Muskrat is a large rodent found in North America.

The body is long and the tail is short.

Muskrats are good swimmers and can stay underwater for long periods of time.

It is a clever climber and is often seen climbing trees.

Muskrat is especially active at night and during the day it will often be seen resting in its hole.

Muskrat has a diet that consists mostly of plants.

It will eat leaves, stems, roots, and aquatic plants.

The muskrat is also known to eat small fish, frogs, and crayfish.

Muskrat is a popular animal for its fur.

Musk bristles are thick and waterproof.

Scientific Name Castor canadensisType of animalMammalRange North America

The North American beaver is the largest rodent in North America and can weigh up to 60 pounds.

These are semi-aquatic animals and build dams and lodges in rivers and streams.

Beavers have large heads, small eyes, and hairy tails.

Related article: Do Beavers Have Fur?

Scientific Name Myocastor coypusType AnimalMammalRange South America

Nutria is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America.

Nutria can grow up to three feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds.

This animal has brown or gray fur, webbed toes, and a mouse tail.

This animal is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, because it can cause damage to the original ecosystem.

The mate is a large rodent found in the tropical forests of South America.

The length of the body is up to 80 cm (31 inches) and the length of the tail is up to 50 cm (20 inches).

Pacarana is the largest member of the Dasyproctidae family, which also includes agoutis and acouchis.

Her husband is a herbivore and his food consists of fruits, leaves, and stems.

Scientific NameDolichotis patagonumType 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.

Mara Patagonia has a body like a mouse 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 grass, leaves, and fruits.

Scientific Name Procavia capensis Species Animal Mammal Range Africa

The Rock Hyrax is a small, hairy creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East.

He has a plump body, short legs, and a long mustache.

The Rock Hyrax looks like a cross between a mouse 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 mouse, but it is actually a marsupial.

The Short Tailed Opossum has a body the same size as a mouse, but its tail is shorter.

This animal is also covered with brown or black fur.

Scientific Name Pedetes capensis Animal Type Mother And throughout the semi-arid region in 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 NameCtenomysTypes of AnimalsMammalRange of the southern half of South America

Tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a genus of rodents in the Ctenomyidae family.

Tuco-tucos are found all over 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 inches), with the largest species weighing up to 4 kg (9 pounds).

Tuco-tucos are brown or gray in color, with a white belly.

They have long claws that they use for digging.

Animals that look like rats but are bigger are capybara, degu, and paca.

The dassie rat, Bosavi’s woolly rat, nutria, and bandicoot rat also bear similarities to rodents but are larger in size.

Living in South Africa I have had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.