Examples of animals that look like a rat but are bigger include nutria, bettong, capybara, dassie, and degu.
When you think of animals that look like rats, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the small, brown rodents. However, there are some animals that look similar to rats but are much bigger in size.
In this blog post, we will take a look at animals that look like rats but are larger in size. We will also discuss some of the features that these animals share with rats.
Examples of Animals that Look Like a Rat but Bigger
1. Bandicoot Rat
| Scientific Name | Bandicota |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | on the Indian subcontinent and throughout Indochina |
The bandicoot rat is a large rodent that is found in Africa and Asia. These animals can grow to be up to three feet long, making them one of the largest rats in the world. Bandicoot rats are brown or black in color and have a long tail. They are good climbers and often build their nests in trees.
2. Bettong
| Scientific Name | Bettongia |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Australia |
The Bettong is a small, rat-like marsupial that is found in Australia. They are about the same size as a large rat and have a similar body shape. Bettongs are brown or grey in color and have a long tail.
3. Bosavi Woolly Rats
| Scientific Name | Mallomys sp |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | province of Papua New Guinea |
The Bosavi woolly rat is a species of rodent that is native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. It is the largest member of the subfamily Murinae, which includes all Old World rats and mice. The Bosavi woolly rat grows to a length of about 80 cm (31 in) from head to body, with a tail that is nearly as long. It has thick, brown fur that covers its entire body, except for its belly and feet. The Bosavi woolly rat is a nocturnal creature that feeds on insects, spiders, and other small animals.
4. Capybara
| Scientific Name | Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay |
The Capybara is a large rodent that is found in South America. It is the largest living rodent in the world and can weigh up to 140 pounds. The Capybara has a reddish-brown coat and a long body with short legs. It also has a long head with small ears.
Related Article: Do Capybara Have Tail?
5. Dassie Rat
| Scientific Name | Petromus typicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Namibia, parts of Angola, and northwest South Africa |
The dassie rat is a species of rodent that is found in southern Africa. These animals are also known as rock rats or zygodactyls. They are about the size of a house cat and have a tail that is nearly as long as their body. Dassie rats are adept climbers and often make their homes in rocky areas. These animals are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of plants and seeds.
6. Degu
| Scientific Name | Octodon degus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central Chile |
The degu is a small rodent that is found in Chile. Degu looks like large rats and can grow to be about the same size. They have brown fur, long tails, and big ears. Degus are social animals that live in colonies. They are good climbers and jumpers.
Degu is an omnivore and eats a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and other small animals.
7. Giant Hutia
| Scientific Name | Heptaxodontidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Quaternary cave deposits |
The Giant Hutia was a large rodent that was found on the island of Hispaniola. It was the largest member of the family Capromyidae, which includes all the hutias. The Giant Hutia can reach a length of over 1 meter (3 feet) and weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds).
The Giant Hutia had a stout body and a short tail. Its fur was reddish-brown to gray in color, and it had a white belly. The Giant Hutia was an omnivore, eating both plants and animals.
8. Guinea Pig
| Scientific Name | Cavia porcellus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South American continent |
The guinea pig is a rodent that is native to South America. These animals are often kept as pets in homes around the world. Guinea pigs can grow to be about 12 inches long and they typically weigh between 2 and 3 pounds. These animals have short, coarse fur that is brown, black, or white in color. They also have small, rounded ears and short, stubby legs.
Like rats, guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy the company of others. They are also very active and playful. Guinea pigs are known for their squeaky voices, which they use to communicate with one another. These animals are herbivores and they primarily eat hay, grass, and vegetables.
9. Hutia
| Scientific Name | Capromyinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Bahamas |
The hutia is a large rodent that is found in the Caribbean. It can grow to be up to two feet long, and it has a tail that is almost as long as its body. The hutia has a short, blunt snout, and small, black eyes. Its fur is coarse and ranges in color from brown to black.
The hutia is a herbivore, and its diet consists of fruits, leaves, and stems. It is a good swimmer, and it often climbs trees in search of food. The hutia is nocturnal, and it spends most of the day sleeping in hollow trees or in burrows that it has dug.
10. Jerboa
| Scientific Name | Jaculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the deserts of northwest China and southern Mongolia |
The jerboa is a small rodent-like creature that lives in the deserts of North Africa and Asia. They are nocturnal animals and their diet consists mostly of insects. These animals can jump up to three feet in the air and they have long tails that help them balance when they land.
11. Josephoartigasia
| Scientific Name | Josephoartigasia monesi |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Uruguay |
The Josephoartigasia was a large rodent that is native to South America. It was one of the largest rodents in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 1 meter (3 ft). The Josephoartigasia had a body that was similar in shape to a rat, with a long tail and small ears. Its fur was brown or reddish in color, and its underside was pale.
The Josephoartigasia was a herbivore, and its diet consisted of leaves, stems, and roots. It was a solitary creature, and it spends most of its time in burrows that it digs itself. The Josephoartigasia was an excellent swimmer, and it was also a good climber.
12. Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America and Europe |
Marmots are a type of rodent that is closely related to the squirrel. They are large animals, and they have long bodies with short legs. Marmots are found in North America and Europe. They live in burrows, and they are active during the day. Marmots are herbivores, and they eat a variety of plants.
13. Muskrat
| Scientific Name | Ondatra zibethicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The muskrat is a large rodent that is found in North America. It has a long body and a short tail. The muskrat is an excellent swimmer and can stay underwater for long periods of time. It is a proficient climber and can often be seen climbing trees. The muskrat is mainly active at night and during the day it will often be seen resting in its burrow.
The muskrat has a diet that consists mostly of plants. It will eat leaves, stems, roots, and aquatic plants. The muskrat is also known to eat small fish, frogs, and crayfish.
The muskrat is a popular animal for its fur. The fur of the muskrat is thick and waterproof. It is often used to make clothing and other items.
14. North American Beaver
| Scientific Name | Castor canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The North American beaver is the largest rodent in North America and can weigh up to 60 pounds. It is a semi-aquatic animal and builds dams and lodges in rivers and streams. The beaver has a large head, small eyes, and furry tails.
Related Article: Do Beaver Have Fur?
15. Nutria
| Scientific Name | Myocastor coypus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South America |
The nutria is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is native to South America. Nutria can grow to be up to three feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds. These animals have brown or gray fur, webbed toes, and a rat-like tail. Nutria is proficient swimmers and often builds their nests in the water. These animals are considered to be invasive species in many parts of the world, as they can cause damage to native ecosystems.
16. Pacarana
| Scientific Name | Dinomys branickii |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | western Amazon River basin |
The pacarana is a large rodent that is found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a body length of up to 80 cm (31 in) and a tail length of up to 50 cm (20 in). The pacarana is the largest member of the family Dasyproctidae, which also includes agoutis and acouchis. The pacarana is a herbivore and its diet consists of fruits, leaves, and stems.
17. Patagonian Mara
| Scientific Name | Dolichotis patagonum |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Argentina |
The Patagonian Mara is a rodent that is found in South America. It is the largest member of the Caviidae family, which also includes guinea pigs and chinchillas. The Patagonian mara has a rat-like body with long legs and ears. It is brown or grey in color with a white underside. The Patagonian Mara is a herbivore and feeds on grasses, leaves, and fruits.
18. Rock Hyrax
| Scientific Name | Procavia capensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
The Rock Hyrax is a small, furry creature that lives in Africa and the Middle East. It has a plump body, short legs, and long whiskers. The Rock Hyrax looks like a cross between a rat and a guinea pig. It feeds on plants and insects.
19. Short-Tailed Opossum
| Scientific Name | Monodelphis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Central and South America |
The Short-Tailed Opossum is a species of the opossum that is found in Central and South America. This animal looks like a rat, but it is actually a marsupial. The Short-Tailed Opossum has a body that is about the same size as a rat, but it has a much shorter tail. This animal is also covered in fur that is brown or black in color.
20. South African Springhare
| Scientific Name | Pedetes capensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout semi-arid areas in southern Africa |
The South African springhare is a rodent-like creature that is found in the southern part of Africa. It is similar to a rat in many ways, including its size, body shape, and tail. However, the springhare has much longer hind legs which it uses to jump great distances. It also has large ears and eyes which help it to see and hear predators.
21. Tuco-Tuco
| Scientific Name | Ctenomys |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the southern half of South America |
The tuco-tuco, or Ctenomys, is a genus of rodents in the family Ctenomyidae. Tuco-tucos are found throughout South America, from Argentina to Peru. They are burrowing animals and live in colonies of up to 100 individuals. The name “tuco-tuco” comes from the sound they make when they dig.
These rodents are heavily built, with short limbs and large heads. They range in size from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches), with the largest species weighing up to 4 kg (9 pounds). Tuco-tucos are brown or gray, with white bellies. They have long claws that they use for digging.
Conclusion
The animals that look like a rat but are bigger are the capybara, degu, and paca. The dassie rats, Bosavi woolly rats, nutria, and bandicoot rat also have similarities with a rodent but are larger in size.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.