Examples of animals that look like a rat but are larger include nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.
When you think of animals that look like rats, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the small, brown rodent.
However, there are some animals that look similar to 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 these animals share with rats.
Examples of Animals that Look Like a Rat but Bigger
Examples of Animals that Look Like a Rat but Bigger
The bandicoot rat is a rat 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 size of 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 NameMallomys Spy type of AnimalMammalRange Papua New Guinea province
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 all Old World rats and mice.
The Bosavi woolly rat grows to about 80 cm (31 in) from head to body, with a tail almost as long.
It has thick brown fur that covers its entire body, except for its belly and feet.
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 largest living rodent 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 a Capybara Have a Tail?
Scientific NamePetromus typicus Type of AnimalMammalRangeNamibia, parts of Angola, and northwestern South Africa
The 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 house cat and have a tail that is almost as long as their body.
Dassie rats are skilled climbers and often make their homes in rocky areas.
These animals are herbivores and their diet mainly consists of plants and seeds.
Scientific NameOctodon degusType of AnimalMotherRangein Chile
The degu is a small rodent found in Chile.
Degu look like large rats and can grow to be about the same size.
They have brown fur, long tails, and big ears.
Degus are social animals that live in colonies.
A Degu is an omnivore and eats a variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, insects and other small animals.
The Giant Hutia was a large rodent found on the island of Hispaniola.
This was the largest member of the Capromyidae family, which includes all the hutias.
The Giant Hutia can reach a length of over 1 meter (3 feet) and weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds).
The Giant Hutia had a strong body and a short tail.
Its fur was reddish-brown to gray in colour, and it had a white belly.
The Giant Hutia was an omnivore, eating plants and animals.
Scientific NameCavia porcellusType of AnimalMammalRange 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 colour.
They also have small, round ears and short, stocky legs.
Like rats, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of others.
These animals are herbivores and they mainly eat hay, grass and vegetables.
Scientific Name Capromyinae Type of Animal Mammal Range Bahamas
The hutia is a large rodent that can be 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.
Its fur is coarse and varies in color from brown to black.
The hutia is a herbivore, and its diet consists of fruit, leaves and stems.
He is a good swimmer, and often climbs trees to look for food.
The hutia is nocturnal, and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or in holes it has dug.
Scientific NameJaculus Type of AnimalMammalVariable 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 mainly consists of 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 were large rodents native to South America.
It was one of the largest rodents in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 1 meter (3 ft).
The Josephoartigasia had a body similar in shape to a rat, with a long tail and small ears.
Its fur was brown or red in colour, and its 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 NameMarmotaType of AnimalMotherRangeNorth America and Europe
A marmot is 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 NameOndatra zibethicusType of AnimalMotherRangeNorth 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 remain underwater for long periods of time.
He is a skilled climber and is often seen climbing trees.
The muskrat is mainly active at night and during the day it is often seen resting in its hole.
The muskrat has a diet consisting mainly 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 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 cabins in rivers and streams.
The beaver has a large head, small eyes, and furry tails.
Related Article: Do Beavers Have Fur?
Scientific NameMyocastor coypusType of AnimalMammalRangeSouth America
Nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents 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 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 a herbivore and feeds on grasses, leaves and fruit.
Scientific NameProcavia capensisType of AnimalMammalRangeAfrica
The Rock Hyrax is a small furry creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East.
It has a fat 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 about the size of a rat, but has a much shorter tail.
This animal is also covered with fur that is brown or black in color.
Scientific NamePedetes capensis Type of AnimalMammalRange through semi-arid areas in southern Africa
The South African hare is a rodent-like creature found in the southern part of Africa.
It resembles a rat in many ways, including its size, body shape, and tail.
Scientific NameCtenomysType of AnimalMammalRange in the southern half of South America
The tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a genus of rodents 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 heavily built, with short legs 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).
Tuco-tucos are brown or grey, with a white belly.
They have long claws which they use for digging.
The animals that look like a rat but are bigger are the capybara, the degu, and the paca.
The dasie rat, Bosavi woolly rat, nutria, and bandicoot rat also have similarities to mice, but are larger in size.
Living in South Africa I have had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.