Rats are more than just the creatures we glimpse in city alleys—they come in many fascinating types, from sleek black climbers to curly-coated pets and swamp-dwelling natives. This guide explores 13 different types of rats, each with its own look, lifestyle, and habitat.
Often misunderstood, rats are among the most adaptable and intelligent creatures on Earth. These resourceful rodents play a significant, yet often unseen, role in ecosystems worldwide and boast a surprisingly rich history intertwined with humanity.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that can be used to treat a person whose heart has suddenly stopped working. This condition is called sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs are available in many public places, such as government buildings, schools, airports and other community ...
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency treatment that's done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. For example, when someone has sudden cardiac arrest or nearly drowns. CPR can help save a life. The American Heart Association recommends starting CPR by pushing hard and fast on the chest. The pushes are called compressions.
Why do high triglycerides matter? High triglycerides may contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls, called arteriosclerosis. This condition increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Extremely high triglycerides also can cause acute inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
There are 56 known species of rats in the world. [1] The best-known rat species are the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). This group, generally known as the Old World rats or true rats, originated in Asia.
Rats are generally slender with a pointed head, large eyes, and prominent, thinly furred ears. They have moderately long legs and long, sharp claws. The bald soles of their narrow hind feet possess fleshy pads of variable size, depending on species. The brown rat has a larger body than the house rat, and its tail is shorter relative to the body.
While many people are familiar with the common brown or black rats, there are actually dozens of distinct species, each with its own characteristics, behaviors, and ecological roles.