Rat

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Rat (Rattus)

Rat (/ræt/; from Old English ræt) is a common name for various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus.

Etymology

The term "rat" is derived from the Old English ræt. The Latin word rattus is a derivative of the Old Norse rat, which means "rodent".

Related Terms

  • Rodent: A member of the order Rodentia, which includes rats, mice, squirrels, and beavers.
  • Muroidea: The superfamily that includes rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils.
  • Rattus rattus: The scientific name for the black rat.
  • Rattus norvegicus: The scientific name for the brown rat.

Pronunciation

The word "rat" is pronounced as /ræt/.

Medical Relevance

Rats have been known to spread diseases, such as Bubonic Plague, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus. They can also cause structural damage to buildings and crops.

External links

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