What can you call a rat? - briefly
«Rat» can be described as a rodent, vermin, or pest. In colloquial usage the word «rat» itself serves as the standard designation.
What can you call a rat? - in detail
Rats belong to the genus Rattus, with the most common species being the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). The scientific designation provides the most precise reference for biological and regulatory purposes.
Common designations include:
- «rat» – generic term for any member of the genus
- «brown rat» – refers specifically to Rattus norvegicus
- «black rat» – refers specifically to Rattus rattus
- «ship rat» – historical name for the black rat, noted for its association with maritime trade
- «sewer rat» – colloquial label for rats inhabiting urban drainage systems
- «city rat» – informal term for rats found in densely populated areas
- «vermin» – legal and pest‑control terminology emphasizing nuisance status
- «rodent» – taxonomic class that includes rats along with mice, squirrels, and related species
Regional slang varies considerably:
- In North America, «skunk» occasionally describes large, aggressive rats
- In the United Kingdom, «gutter rat» emphasizes habitat in street gutters
- In East Asia, «rice rat» denotes rats that frequent grain storage facilities
- In Australia, «water rat» may refer to semi‑aquatic species within the same genus
Professional contexts employ specific phrases:
- «laboratory rat» – denotes specimens bred for scientific research
- «wild‑caught rat» – indicates individuals sourced from natural environments
- «pet rat» – describes domesticated individuals kept as companion animals
When precision is required, the binomial nomenclature (Rattus spp.) remains the definitive reference, eliminating ambiguity across scientific, regulatory, and public‑health communications.