What does a male rat look like? - briefly
A male rat generally possesses a slender body covered in brown‑to‑black fur, a pointed snout, and a noticeable scrotal sac located just under the base of the tail. Its external genitalia and enlarged flank scent glands distinguish it from females.
What does a male rat look like? - in detail
Male rats display a set of physical traits that distinguish them from females and from other rodent species. Adult individuals typically weigh between 300 and 500 g and measure 20–25 cm in body length, not including the tail, which adds another 15–20 cm. The fur is dense, short, and varies in color from brown to gray, with darker shades on the dorsal surface and a lighter ventral side. Many specimens exhibit a distinct white or pinkish patch on the under‑belly.
Key anatomical features include:
- Head and facial structure: Broad skull, pronounced nasal bones, and relatively large, rounded ears positioned low on the head. Whiskers (vibrissae) are long and sensitive, extending outward from the snout.
- Eyes: Small, dark, and positioned on the sides of the head, providing a wide field of vision.
- Dentition: Continuously growing incisors with orange‑yellow enamel, adapted for gnawing.
- Tail: Hairless, scaly, and slightly longer than the body; used for balance and thermoregulation.
- Genitalia: External testes are visible in mature males; the scrotum lies beneath the tail, and the anogenital distance is greater than in females.
Sexual dimorphism is subtle but measurable. Males generally possess a larger overall body mass and longer tail than females of the same age. The anogenital distance, the space between the anus and the genital opening, serves as a reliable indicator of sex in laboratory settings. Additionally, the presence of a prominent, rounded scrotum distinguishes adult males from females, whose abdominal region lacks this feature.
These characteristics provide a comprehensive description of a male rat’s appearance, facilitating accurate identification in both research and pest‑control contexts.