Anatomy: Rats range in size from 6 to 23 inches (15 to 58 cm) long plus a long tail, 3 to 18 inches (8-46 cm) long. They weigh from 5 ounces to 15 pounds (142 g to 7 kg). The coarse coat color ranges from white to brown to gray. Rats have a pointed snout with long whiskers, rounded ears, and a long tail. Like other rodents, the rat's front teeth continue to grow throughout its life. Rats must gnaw on hard things to wear these teeth down.

Diet: The rat is an omnivore; it will eat almost anything, but mostly eats plants. It eats seeds, grains, grasses, nuts, fruit, vegetables, eggs, and small animals (like worms, insects, arachnids, etc.).

Predators: Many animals kill rats, including cats, dogs, hawks, owls, weasels, raccoons, snakes, skunks, and people.