What is the rat family called? - briefly
Rats belong to the family Muridae, within the subfamily Murinae that comprises the true rats and related rodents.
What is the rat family called? - in detail
Rats belong to the mammalian family Muridae, the largest family within the order Rodentia. Muridae is divided into several subfamilies; the one that contains true rats is Murinae, often referred to as the “Old World rats and mice.” Within Murinae, the genus Rattus comprises the species most commonly identified as rats.
Key taxonomic points:
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Subfamily: Murinae
- Genus: Rattus (e.g., Rattus norvegicus – brown rat, Rattus rattus – black rat)
Characteristics that define members of Muridae include:
- Ever‑growing incisors that require constant gnawing
- A robust skull with a short rostrum
- Adaptability to diverse habitats, from urban environments to tropical forests
Geographic distribution covers most continents, with the brown rat and black rat having achieved a worldwide presence through human-mediated transport. Other genera in Muridae, such as Mus (house mice) and Apodemus (field mice), share many morphological traits but are classified outside the rat genus.
In summary, the taxonomic family encompassing rats is Muridae, specifically the subfamily Murinae, with the genus Rattus containing the principal rat species.