What is the biological classification of rats? - briefly
Rats are classified as Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Rodentia > Muridae > Rattus, with the principal species R. norvegicus and R. rattus. This hierarchy situates them among mammals possessing continuously growing incisors.
What is the biological classification of rats? - in detail
Rats belong to the domain Eukaryota, which comprises organisms with membrane‑bound nuclei. Within this domain they are placed in the kingdom Animalia, characterized by multicellular, heterotrophic organisms that develop from a blastula stage.
The next rank, phylum Chordata, includes animals possessing a notochord at some stage of development; rats exhibit a vertebral column, a defining feature of this group. They are members of the class Mammalia, distinguished by the presence of mammary glands, hair, and three middle ear bones.
Within Mammalia, rats are classified in the order Rodentia, the largest mammalian order, defined by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each jaw. The family Muridae houses the true mice and rats, featuring a generally small body size, omnivorous diet, and a high reproductive rate.
The subfamily Murinae narrows the group to Old World rats and mice, which share specific dental and cranial characteristics. The genus Rattus encompasses the true rats, identified by particular skull morphology and tail length relative to body size.
Two species dominate the genus:
- Rattus norvegicus (the brown or Norway rat) – a medium‑sized rodent, commonly found in temperate regions, with a robust body, coarse fur, and a relatively short tail.
- Rattus rattus (the black rat) – smaller, more agile, with a longer, slender tail and a preference for warmer climates.
Both species can be further divided into subspecies based on geographic distribution and minor morphological variations, such as R. n. norvegicus and R. n. albinus for the brown rat, or R. r. rattus and R. r. frugivorous for the black rat.
In summary, the taxonomic hierarchy for rats is:
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Subfamily: Murinae
- Genus: Rattus
- Species: Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus (with recognized subspecies)
This structure reflects the evolutionary relationships and distinguishing traits that define rats within the animal kingdom.