25 Animals That Look Like a Rat But Are Much Bigger

Examples of rodent-like but larger animals include the nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.

When you think of animals like mice, the first thing that comes to mind is usually small brown rodents.

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

In this blog post, we will look at animals that are similar to mice but larger in size.

We will also discuss some of the similarities between these animals and mice.

Illustrations of Animals Like a Rat but Bigger

Illustrations of Animals Like a Rat but Bigger

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

These animals can grow up to three feet long, making them one of the largest rodents in the world.

Bandicoot rats are brown or black in color and have a long tail.

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

The Bettong is a small mouse-like marsupial found in Australia.

They are the same size as a large rat and have the same body shape.

Bettongs are brown or gray in color and have a long tail.

3. Bosavi Woolly Rats

3. Bosavi Woolly Rats

Scientific NameMallomys sp. Species of Papua New Guinea Province

The Bosavi woolly rat is a type 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 a length of 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 legs.

The Bosavi woolly rat is a creature that feeds on insects, spiders, and other small animals.

Scientific NameHydrochoerus hydrochaerisAnimal SpeciesPanama, 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 cane in the world and can weigh up to 140 pounds.

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

He also has a long head and small ears.

Related Articles: Does Capybara Have an End?

Scientific Name Petromus typicus Species Namibia, parts of Angola, and northwestern South Africa

The dassie rat is a type of rodent found in South Africa.

These animals are also known as rock rats or zygodactyls.

They are about the size of a house cat and have a tail almost as long as their body.

Dassie rats are climbers and often make their homes in rough places.

These animals are herbivores and their food is mainly plants and seeds.

Scientific NameOctodon degus Species of AnimalMammalRangecentral Chile

The degu is a small rodent found in Chile.

Degu look like large mice 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.

The Degu is an animal that eats a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and other small animals.

The Giant Hutia is a giant cane found on the island of Hispaniola.

The largest member of the family Capromyidae, which includes all hutia.

The Giant Hutia can reach a length of more than 1 meter (3 feet) and a weight of up to 45 kilograms (100 pounds).

The Giant Hutia has a strong body and a short tail.

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

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

Scientific NameCavia porcellus Animal Species Mammalian South 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 usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.

These animals have short, thick fur that is brown, black, or white.

They also have small round ears and short short legs.

Like mice, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of others.

These animals are herbivores and they primarily eat hay, grass, and vegetables.

Scientific Name Capromyinae Family of Bahamian Endangered Species

The hutia is a large rodent found in the Caribbean.

It can grow up to two feet long, and has a tail that is almost as long as its body.

Hutia are short, short nosed, and have small black eyes.

Its fur is coarse and varies in color from brown to black.

Hutia is a herb, and its food consists of fruits, leaves, and plants.

It is a good swimmer, and often climbs trees to find food.

The hutia sleeps at night, and spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or dug holes.

Scientific Name Jaculus Species Desert deserts of northwestern China and southern Mongolia

The jerboa is a small rodent-like animal that lives in the deserts of North Africa and Asia.

They are nocturnal and their diet is mostly insects.

These animals can jump up to three feet in the air and their long tails help them balance when they land.

Josephoartigasia is a large cane native to South America.

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

The Josephoartigasia has a rat-like body, a long tail and small ears.

Its fur is brown or red, and its underside is pale.

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

The Josephoartigasia is a good swimmer, and a good climber too.

Scientific Name Marmota Species of Animal Mammal Range North America and Europe

Marmots are a type of rodent closely related to the squirrel.

These are large animals, with long bodies and short legs.

Mammoth is found in North America and Europe.

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

Momots are weeds, and they feed on different plants.

Scientific Name Ondatra zibethicus Species of North American Carnivore

The muskrat is a large rodent found in North America.

It has a long body and a short tail.

The muskrat is a good swimmer and can stay underwater for a long time.

A skilled climber and often seen climbing trees.

The muskrat is mostly active at night and during the day it is often seen resting in its den.

The muskrat has a diet consisting of many plants.

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

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

The muskrat is an animal known for its fur.

The muskrat’s fur is thick and moist.

Scientific Name Castor canadensis Species of North American Carnivore

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

It is a construction animal that builds water bodies and dams in rivers and streams.

The bee has a large head, small eyes, and fur.

Related Articles: Do Beavers Have Feathers?

Scientific Name Myocastor coypus Species Mammal Range South America

The 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 rat-like tail.

These animals are considered invasive species in many parts of the world, as they can damage ecosystems.

The pacarana is a large cane 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 plants.

Scientific Name Dolichotis patagonumArgentinian Animal Species

The Patagonian Mara is a rodent found in South America.

The largest member of the family Caviidae, which includes pigs and chinchillas.

The Patagonian mara has a mouse-like body with long legs and ears.

They are brown or gray with white undersides.

The Patagonian Mara is a herbivore and feeds on grass, leaves, and fruits.

Scientific Name Procavia capensis African Animal Species

The Rock Hyrax is a small wild animal that lives in Africa and the Middle East.

It has a stocky body, short legs, and long fur.

The Rock Hyrax looks like a cross between a rat and a pig.

Short Tailed Opossum

Short Tailed Opossum

Scientific Name Monodelphis Species of Animal Mammal Range Central 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 shorter tail.

This animal is also covered in brown or black fur.

Scientific Name Pedetes capensis Animal Species Occurs in all semi-arid regions of South Africa.

The South African springhare is a rodent-like animal found in southern Africa.

It is similar to the mouse in many ways, including its size, body shape, and tail.

Scientific NameCtenomysTypes of Animal Species of the southern half of South America

The tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a type of rodent in the Ctenomyidae family.

Tuco-tucos are found in South America, from Argentina to Peru.

They are herding animals and live in groups of up to 100 people.

These rodents are of large build, with short legs and large heads.

They vary in size from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches), with most species weighing up to 4 kilograms (9 pounds).

Tuco-tucos are brown or gray, with white bellies.

They have long claws that they use to dig.

Rat-like but larger animals are the capybara, degu, and paca.

The dassie rat, Bosavi’s woolly rat, nutria, and bandicoot rat are also similar to a rodent but are larger in size.

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