How do you call a rat? - briefly
The animal is referred to as a rat, a medium‑sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.
How do you call a rat? - in detail
The common English designation for a rodent belonging to the genus Rattus is “rat.” In scientific literature the species name is used, such as Rattus norvegicus (the brown rat) or Rattus rattus (the black rat). When referring to the animal in everyday speech, several informal variants appear:
- Mouse‑like rodent – a descriptive phrase emphasizing similarity to mice.
- Pest – a term applied when the animal causes damage to property or food supplies.
- Vermin – a stronger label used in contexts of infestation or disease transmission.
- Squeaker – colloquial slang highlighting the animal’s vocalizations.
- Pack‑rat – metaphorical usage for a person who hoards items, derived from the creature’s habit of collecting objects.
In professional settings, especially in biology, veterinary medicine, and pest control, the precise species name is preferred to avoid ambiguity. For example, a health‑department report will list Rattus norvegicus when documenting a rodent‑borne disease outbreak. Legal documents concerning wildlife management often cite the scientific classification to define regulatory scope.
When the animal appears in literary or cultural references, authors may employ metaphorical epithets such as “rat” to convey betrayal or untrustworthiness. In these cases the term functions as a symbolic label rather than a taxonomic identifier.
Overall, the appropriate label depends on the context: scientific accuracy requires Latin binomials, technical communication favors “rat” or “Rattus spp.,” while colloquial speech employs a range of informal descriptors.