How many centimeters long is a rat? - briefly
A typical adult brown rat measures roughly 20 – 25 cm in body length, with the tail adding another 15 – 20 cm, for a total length of about 35 – 45 cm.
How many centimeters long is a rat? - in detail
Rats vary in size according to species, age, and sex. The most common species, the brown (Norway) rat, typically reaches a body length of 18–20 cm, measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. The tail adds an additional 20–25 cm, resulting in a total length of approximately 38–45 cm. The smaller roof rat averages 15 cm for the body and 18–22 cm for the tail, giving a combined length of about 33–37 cm.
Key factors influencing individual measurements:
- Age: Juveniles are under 10 cm in body length; adults reach the ranges noted above.
- Sex: Males generally grow larger than females by 2–3 cm in body length.
- Nutrition: Well‑fed specimens exhibit greater growth, especially in tail length.
- Environment: Cold climates may produce slightly shorter bodies due to adaptive size reduction.
When measuring, use a flexible ruler or digital calipers. Position the animal gently on a flat surface, align the measuring device along the dorsal midline from the nose tip to the tail base for body length, then from the tail base to the tip for tail length. Record each value in centimeters and sum them for total length if required.
Comparative data for other common rat species:
- Polynesian rat: body 12–14 cm, tail 14–16 cm, total 26–30 cm.
- Black rat (Rattus rattus): body 15–18 cm, tail 18–22 cm, total 33–40 cm.
These figures provide a reliable reference for estimating the size of a rat in metric units across typical domestic and wild populations.