What is the largest rat in the world? - briefly
The Bosavi giant rat (Uromys anak) is the largest rat species, reaching weights of about 1.5 kg and total lengths up to 82 cm.
What is the largest rat in the world? - in detail
The giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus), also called the African giant rat, holds the record for size among rodent species commonly referred to as rats. Adult individuals reach body lengths of 45–55 cm (18–22 in) and tail lengths of an additional 30–45 cm (12–18 in). Mass typically ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lb), with exceptional specimens exceeding 2 kg (4.4 lb).
Key characteristics:
- Robust skull and powerful jaw muscles enable consumption of hard foods such as nuts and seeds.
- Large cheek pouches, extending from the shoulders to the forelimbs, allow transport of food items up to 30 g.
- Highly developed olfactory system supports detection of carrion and explosives, a trait exploited in detection work by several African security agencies.
- Reproductive capacity includes litters of 2–6 offspring after a gestation period of about 27 days; females can breed year‑round in tropical climates.
Habitat and distribution:
- Native to sub‑Saharan Africa, occupying savannas, forests, and agricultural lands.
- Adaptable to human‑altered environments; populations often thrive near villages and farms.
Conservation status:
- Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to wide range and stable populations.
- Threats include habitat loss from agricultural expansion and occasional persecution as crop pests.
The species’ size, intelligence, and trainability distinguish it from smaller murine rats, making it the definitive answer to inquiries about the world’s largest rat‑type rodent.