Which animals eat rats? - briefly
Predators of rats include owls, hawks, snakes, foxes, and domestic cats. These species regularly capture rats as a component of their natural diet.
Which animals eat rats? - in detail
Rats serve as prey for a diverse group of predators across several taxonomic classes. Mammalian hunters include domestic cats (Felis catus), feral and wild felids such as foxes (Vulpes spp.), coyotes (Canis latrans), and mustelids like weasels (Mustela spp.) and martens (Martes spp.). Larger carnivores, for example, raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), regularly capture and consume rats when available.
Avian species that target rats range from raptors to opportunistic birds. Owls, especially the barn owl («Tyto alba») and the great horned owl («Bubo virginianus»), hunt nocturnally. Diurnal birds of prey such as the red-tailed hawk («Buteo jamaicensis») and the peregrine falcon («Falco peregrinus») also seize rats in flight or on the ground. Corvids, including crows and rooks, exploit rats as a food source, often employing cooperative foraging techniques.
Reptilian predators comprise several snake families. Rat snakes (Pantherophis spp.) specialize in rodent prey, while larger constrictors like the king cobra («Ophiophagus hannah») and various boas may include rats in their diet. Monitor lizards (Varanus spp.) display opportunistic feeding behavior that encompasses rats.
Amphibians contribute modestly to rat predation. Large bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) have been observed swallowing small rats whole.
Invertebrate predators, though limited by size, can affect juvenile rats. Certain large spider species, such as the giant tarantula («Theraphosa blondi»), capture rats that fall within their reach.
Overall, the predator community comprises mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and select arthropods, each exploiting rats as a nutrient‑rich resource within their respective ecological niches.