What does a city rat look like? - briefly
Urban rats are medium‑sized rodents with coarse brown‑gray fur, a long naked tail, a pointed snout, and relatively small, rounded ears. Their bodies are slender, their paws have sharp claws, and they often display a slightly hunched posture while navigating sewers and streets.
What does a city rat look like? - in detail
Urban rats are medium‑sized rodents, typically measuring 20–25 cm from nose to the base of the tail, with tails extending an additional 15–20 cm. Their bodies are robust, featuring a compact torso and a short, muscular neck.
Fur coloration varies from brownish‑gray to almost black, often with a lighter, pinkish underside. The coat is coarse, shedding frequently, which leaves visible patches of hair on surfaces they frequent. Skin under the fur appears pink to reddish, especially on the ears and tail.
Ears are large, thin‑skinned, and rounded, positioned high on the head to enhance hearing. Eyes are small, dark, and set forward, providing a wide field of vision but limited depth perception. Whiskers (vibrissae) are long, stiff, and highly sensitive, extending laterally and forward to detect obstacles in tight spaces.
The tail is naked, cylindrical, and flexible, lacking fur and displaying a slight taper toward the tip. It serves as a balance aid when climbing and as a thermoregulatory surface.
Limbs are short yet powerful. Forepaws possess dexterous digits with sharp claws for grasping and manipulating objects, while hind limbs are stronger, enabling rapid bursts of speed and agile jumps. Footpads are hairless, providing traction on slick urban surfaces.
Key visual markers include:
- Coarse, dark fur with a lighter belly
- Prominent, pink, membranous ears
- Small, beady eyes set close together
- Long, tactile whiskers
- Bare, scaly tail of comparable length to the body
- Compact, muscular build with short, clawed feet
These characteristics collectively define the typical appearance of a rodent that has adapted to life in densely populated human environments.