A rat is a relatively large mouse-like rodent; the common name covers several lineages. In experimental work it often refers to domesticated strains of Rattus norvegicus. Species and strain matter when comparing measured traits.

Ancestors (19)

  1. Rodentia
  2. Glires
  3. Euarchontoglires
  4. Placental mammal
  5. Eutheria
  6. Theria
  7. Mammal
  8. Mammaliaform
  9. Cynodont
  10. Therapsid
  11. Synapsid
  12. Amniote
  13. Tetrapod
  14. Vertebrate
  15. Animal
  16. Eukaryote
  17. Organism
  18. Biology
  19. Home

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Rat by Ciro Santilli 40 Updated 2025-07-16
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Since rat and mouse are not scientifically specific names, we'll just use them interchangeably.
When one specific species is implied, we will mean Mus musculus by default.
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