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Glite Dictionary
🐀 A rat genus 🐀 Scientific rat name
Rattus

Rattus

1 9.1
A group of small mammals that includes the black rat and other rats
  • proper noun
  • /ˈrætəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Rattus
  • In taxonomy, Rattus is the genus that encompasses various common rat species, such as the black rat and brown rat.
  • Rattus norvegicus

Examples

  • The scientist identified the rat species as Rattus norvegicus during her research on urban wildlife.

  • The family had purchased four rats (Rattus norvegicus) from a pet shop on August 19, 2011.

    Academic text (2013)

  • PHOTO (COLOR): Scholars debate when the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) was first introduced to New Zealand.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The researcher studied the behavior of Rattus to understand how these rodents adapt to city environments.

Synonyms

genus Rattus
vsRattus
  • Specialized
7.7

A group of rodents that includes common rats with slanted upper front teeth

is the general taxonomic group without stressing tooth detail

Compounds

genus Rattus
  • Specialized
7.7

A group of rodents that includes common rats with slanted upper front teeth

Rattus rattus
  • Specialized
8.9

A small black rat with a long tail that lives near houses and is often a pest

Surface Forms

Rattus main

Etymology

Rattus is the Latin word rattus for 'rat', and scientists used it as the official name for this group of animals. That is why names like Rattus rattus show up for the black rat and why the word links straight to the common city rat.