What is a male rat called? - briefly
A male rat is called a buck, and the term “boar” is also used for adult males.
What is a male rat called? - in detail
The male of the species Rattus is referred to as a buck. In breeding contexts the term stud is also applied to a male used for reproduction. The designation differs from the female, which is called a doe.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Genus: Rattus
- Species: R. norvegicus (Norwegian rat) or R. rattus (Black rat)
Terminology overview
- Buck – standard term for an adult male rat.
- Stud – male selected for breeding programs.
- Baron – occasional colloquialism in laboratory settings.
Behavioral distinctions
- Males exhibit larger scent glands, producing stronger urine odor.
- Aggressive interactions increase during the mating season, especially when multiple bucks compete for does.
- In laboratory colonies, males are often housed singly to prevent fighting and to maintain genetic integrity.
Reproductive role
- A buck reaches sexual maturity at 5–6 weeks.
- Sperm production continues throughout life, though fertility declines after one year in most strains.
- Breeding males are evaluated for sperm count, motility, and morphology before being designated as studs.
Practical implications
- Correct identification of sex is essential for colony management, pest control, and scientific research.
- Mislabeling can lead to inaccurate data in toxicology studies, where hormonal differences affect outcomes.
The term “buck” therefore serves as the precise label for a male rat across veterinary, zoological, and research literature.