Rat
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'''Rats''' are various medium-sized, long-tailed [[rodent]]s of the [[Family (biology)|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''. Many members of other rodent genera and families are also referred to as rats, and share many characteristics with true rats. | '''Rats''' are various medium-sized, long-tailed [[rodent]]s of the [[Family (biology)|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''. Many members of other rodent genera and families are also referred to as rats, and share many characteristics with true rats. | ||
- | Rats are typically distinguished from [[mouse|mice]] by their size; rats are generally large [[muroid]] rodents, while mice are generally small muroid rodents. The muroid family is very large and complex, and the common terms ''rat'' and ''mouse'' are not [[taxonomy|taxonomically]] specific. Generally, when someone discovers a large muroid, its [[common name]] includes the term ''rat'', while if it is small, the name includes the term ''mouse''. Scientifically, the terms are not confined to members of the ''Rattus'' and ''[[Mus (genus)|Mus]]'' genera, for example, the [[pack rat]] and [[cotton mouse]]. | + | ==As subjects for scientific research== |
+ | :''[[Laboratory rat]] | ||
+ | In 1895, [[Clark University]] in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]] (United States) established a population of domestic albino brown rats to study the effects of diet and for other physiological studies. Over the years, rats have been used in many experimental studies, which have added to our understanding of [[genetics]], [[disease]]s, the effects of [[drug]]s, and other topics that have provided a great benefit for the [[health]] and well-being of humankind. Laboratory rats have also proved valuable in psychological studies of learning and other mental processes (Barnett, 2002), as well as to understand [[group behavior]] and overcrowding (with the work of [[John B. Calhoun]] on [[behavioral sink]]). A 2007 study found rats to possess [[metacognition]], a mental ability previously only documented in humans and some primates. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
+ | * [[Brain stimulation reward ]] | ||
* [[East Timor giant rat]] | * [[East Timor giant rat]] | ||
* [[List of fictional mice and rats]] | * [[List of fictional mice and rats]] |
Revision as of 20:58, 27 March 2019
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Rats are 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. Many members of other rodent genera and families are also referred to as rats, and share many characteristics with true rats.
As subjects for scientific research
In 1895, Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts (United States) established a population of domestic albino brown rats to study the effects of diet and for other physiological studies. Over the years, rats have been used in many experimental studies, which have added to our understanding of genetics, diseases, the effects of drugs, and other topics that have provided a great benefit for the health and well-being of humankind. Laboratory rats have also proved valuable in psychological studies of learning and other mental processes (Barnett, 2002), as well as to understand group behavior and overcrowding (with the work of John B. Calhoun on behavioral sink). A 2007 study found rats to possess metacognition, a mental ability previously only documented in humans and some primates.
See also
- Brain stimulation reward
- East Timor giant rat
- List of fictional mice and rats
- Mouse
- Oriental rat flea
- Rat (zodiac)
- Rat-baiting
- Rat-catcher
- Working rat