Which animal has a tail similar to a rat’s tail? - briefly
The mouse possesses a slender, hairless tail closely resembling a rat’s tail. Its length and texture are virtually identical to those of a typical rat.
Which animal has a tail similar to a rat’s tail? - in detail
Rats possess long, hair‑free, cylindrical tails covered with fine scales. Several other mammals display comparable tail morphology.
The most direct analogue is the common house mouse. Its tail is also naked and scaly, proportionally long (about 80‑100 % of body length), and capable of thermoregulation. Compared with the rat, the mouse tail is slightly shorter and thinner, but the structural characteristics are essentially identical.
Voles (genus Microtus) share the same tail type. Their tails are slender, hairless, and covered with overlapping scales. Length typically equals 70‑90 % of the animal’s body, providing balance during rapid burrowing movements.
Gerbils, especially the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), have a tail that mirrors the rat’s in texture and lack of fur. The gerbil tail is longer than the body (up to 150 % of body length) and exhibits a slight taper, yet the surface remains scaly and hairless.
Shrews (family Soricidae) possess a tail that, while generally shorter, is similarly naked and scaled. The tail aids in locomotion and sensory perception, resembling the rat’s tail in both form and function.
Key comparative points:
- Surface: all listed species have tails devoid of fur, covered by smooth scales.
- Length proportion: tail length ranges from 70 % to 150 % of body length, overlapping the rat’s proportion.
- Function: tails serve for balance, thermoregulation, and, in some cases, prehension; these roles parallel those of the rat’s tail.
- Flexibility: the absence of fur allows greater flexibility and tactile sensitivity, a shared trait among the species.
In summary, the house mouse, voles, gerbils, and shrews each exhibit tails that closely resemble the rat’s in structure, proportion, and utility.