Which is larger: a rat or a chinchilla? - briefly
A chinchilla exceeds a common house rat in overall size; adult chinchillas reach 10–12 cm in body length and weigh 400–800 g, while rats typically measure 7–10 cm and weigh 200–500 g. Consequently, the chinchilla is the larger of the two species.
Which is larger: a rat or a chinchilla? - in detail
Rats (Rattus spp.) typically measure 18–28 cm in head‑body length, with tails of 15–20 cm. Adult body mass ranges from 150 g to 500 g, depending on species and diet.
Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) have a head‑body length of 25–35 cm and a tail of 5–10 cm. Their adult weight falls between 400 g and 800 g.
Size comparison
- Length (head‑body): chinchilla exceeds rat by 7–17 cm.
- Tail length: rat tail is longer, adding up to 20 cm, while chinchilla tail adds at most 10 cm.
- Overall mass: chinchilla weight surpasses rat by roughly 200–300 g on average.
The greater body length and substantially higher mass make the chinchilla the larger of the two mammals, despite the rat possessing a longer tail.