Rat - animal, which is associated with many superstitions, myths and prejudices.In the Middle Ages these animals are considered to be messengers and helpers of the devil, and modern humanity, the bulk of their fears, considering not only the carriers of infection (that is scientifically proven for a long time), but also aggressive, vile and insidious creatures.Although many people who have ordinary gray rat became a pet, we make sure that these animals are affectionate, intelligent and faithful.Unlike most rodents, they are very clean and on its own initiative to choose the place for the "toilet", leaving no trace of life throughout the apartment.
However, even those who are hostile to these rodents, curious, what is the biggest rat in the world and where she lives.Probably, at least in order to breathe a sigh of relief, considering kilometers that separate it from the home.
«Apple of Discord": capybara
Most people think that the biggest rat in the world - capybara, lives in South and Central America.On the one hand, they have something right: capybara growth reaches half a meter in length - meters, and weight - fifty kilograms.However, correct to say that the capybara - the largest rodent, not a rat.The structure of the body and muzzle she differs from all known species of rats.Moreover, it has no tail at birth, hoof-claws, and diet - exclusively plant, while the majority of rats are omnivores.So scientifically considered capybara rat wrong.
contenders for victory
Until recently it was thought that the biggest rat in the world - bamboo Sumatra.Its length, taking into account the tail, and in some cases reached seventy-five centimeters.Some individuals have weighed as much as four kilograms.However, now this record is beaten.
unproven winner for some time considered "production" of Chinese Fuzhou.Right in the city, he managed to catch an instance in which only the tail reaches the third meter - and rats it is shorter body by thirty percent.Balance showed that the beast "tightened" eleven pounds;cutters and animal increased by 2.5 centimeters.However, apart from photographs, in proof of the "hunter" bring nothing more could, so that the existence of this monster remains in question.
biggest rat in the world
giant variety of rodents is found in New Guinea, Papua.They were discovered, scientists who conducted surveillance in a completely different field of science.It is noteworthy that not a single mutant was found, and the whole population, chose as his place of settlement of an extinct volcano Bosavi.By weight, the rats yield the largest individuals from Sumatra, but the length of their superior - the average "growth" giants about 80 centimeters, and the maximum, which is able to measure - meter and 20 centimeters.The rest of the animals look like a barn gray rat, and habits with the habits they are similar.
Extinct winner
Not so long ago, scientists have found that the biggest rat in the world has ceased to exist, two thousand years ago.Excavations on the south-east Asia, on the island of Timor, struck the archaeologists they found the skeletons of rats, which during his lifetime weighed about six kilograms.Presumably, they have reached a length of one and a half meters and more.Thus, it was the biggest rat in the world and the weight and size - in contrast to the modern representatives of the family, which was divided between the two kinds of laurels.Scientists believe that the reason for the extinction of the giant became human activities on deforestation, accompanied by an active hunt for rodents that were eating.
Russian champions
The vast expanses of the country does not have a particularly diverse species of rats.The largest in Russia is a large gray rat, she's barn, she Pasyuk.In length it reaches forty centimeters, although most instances are much smaller.Average weight - about 170 grams, although some individuals may gain up to four.
However, the record can be considered Russian Indonesian rat is well developed in the Moscow subway.The average weight of this species - three hundred grams;there are instances, and on the shelf.The length of their body about 50 cm (with a tail, of course);registered individual representatives, who grew up to 65. Of course, the question was not cleared, took the subway from the Indonesian rat, but a mutant still do not worry.
