What is a long rat called? - briefly
The animal known for an unusually elongated body is called a long‑tailed rat. It belongs to the genus Pseudomys and is distinguished by its extended tail relative to other rodents.
What is a long rat called? - in detail
The expression “long rat” is not a formal taxonomic term, but it appears in several contexts that clarify its meaning.
In everyday language the phrase is sometimes used humorously to describe a rat whose body is unusually elongated. The animal remains a member of the genus Rattus, and no separate common name exists for such an individual. The descriptor “long” therefore functions only as an adjective, not as a classifier.
In zoological literature the words “long‑tailed rat” identify specific species whose tail length exceeds that of typical rats. Notable examples include:
- Rattus fuscipes – known as the Australian brown‑tailed rat; inhabits forested regions of eastern Australia; tail length averages 70 % of body length.
- Rattus norvegicus var. longicaudatus – a subspecies of the Norway rat with an unusually long tail; found in parts of Europe and Asia; tail may reach up to 120 % of body length.
- Tarsomys echinatus – called the “long‑tailed shrew‑rat”; a murid rodent native to the Philippines; distinguished by a slender body and a tail longer than its head‑body measurement.
These species share a set of morphological traits:
- Extended caudal vertebrae – additional or elongated tail vertebrae give the tail a proportionally greater length.
- Reduced body mass – a slender torso reduces overall bulk, accentuating the tail’s appearance.
- Adaptations for arboreal or semi‑aquatic life – elongated tails aid balance when climbing or swimming.
If the question arises from a colloquial perspective, the answer is simply that the animal is still a rat; the adjective does not create a new category. If the inquiry targets scientific classification, the correct reference is to the “long‑tailed rat” species listed above, each with distinct geographic ranges, ecological niches, and morphological characteristics.