What does a field rat look like? - briefly
A field rat is a medium‑sized rodent with brown‑gray fur, a long tail roughly equal to its body length, and small ears and eyes. Its body measures about 8–12 cm, featuring a pointed snout and agile limbs adapted for open habitats.
What does a field rat look like? - in detail
Field rats are medium‑sized rodents, typically ranging from 150 to 250 mm in head‑body length, with a tail of comparable length. The body is covered in coarse, dense fur that varies from brownish‑gray to reddish‑brown depending on the local substrate. The dorsal coat is usually speckled with darker guard hairs, providing camouflage among grasses and low vegetation.
Key external features include:
- Ears: Small, rounded, and sparsely furred, positioned low on the skull.
- Eyes: Dark, relatively large for nocturnal activity, set forward to give a broad field of vision.
- Whiskers: Long, stiff vibrissae extending from the snout, aiding navigation through dense undergrowth.
- Muzzle: Short and blunt, with a pinkish or lightly pigmented nose.
- Limbs: Short but sturdy forelimbs equipped with dexterous paws; hind limbs are slightly longer, supporting agile hopping and quick burrowing.
- Tail: Hairless, scaly, and of equal length to the body, tapering to a fine point; it functions as a balance aid during rapid movement.
The foot pads are pinkish and lack noticeable hair, while the hind feet bear sharp claws that facilitate digging. The overall silhouette is compact, with a low‑profile head and a sleek, streamlined profile that minimizes resistance when moving through tall grass or underground tunnels. This morphology distinguishes field rats from larger, more robust house rats and from smaller, elongated vole species.