Difference Between Rat and Hamster

Rat vs Hamster
 

Being members of the Order: Rodentia, both rat and hamster show some similarities between them. However, the differences between them would be interesting to know, especially the ones other than basic or common distinguishing features. That is because, it is not very difficult to identify a rat from a hamster, but there are interesting distinctions in both of them, especially the behavioural differences.

Rat

Any member of the Genus: Rattus is a true rat, and there are 64 described species of them. They are taxonomically classified in the Family: Muridae of the Order: Rodentia. They have not been confined to a particular place on the Earth, but rats are native animal in all the continents. Since most of the mouse species are confused with rats, it would be important to notice that the rat is larger than the mouse usually. The two best-known rats, Rattus rattus (Black rat) and R. norvegicus (Brown rat), originated in Asia. The commonly referred terms for male and non-pregnant female rats are buck and doe; the pregnant one is called dam, and pup or kitten for the offspring. Although the higher majority of the rat species are innocent, the ones that live around human are serious pests. People have to bear the cost of the ever-growing rodent teeth, as these rats gnaw on anything on their path to worn out the two upper incisors. In addition, they can carry the pathogens of many zoonotic diseases such as the deadly leptospirosis. Some of the wild species of rats cause crop damages by feeding on those. Despite all the possible problems, rats make themselves as good pets, as well. However, sometimes it has not been very easy to train them, as their intelligence is good enough to be headstrong. Rats have been used in many laboratory experiments, to test medicines for both human and other animals.

Hamster

Hamster is any of the 25 species of the Family: Cricetidae of Order: Rodentia. They are nocturnal and burrowing animals. During the daytime, hamsters hide in their underground burrows, so that they can prevent from the predators. They are stout bodied animals, and the pouches on the either side of the head are used to store food to use later. Hamsters are solitary animals; they do not show much social behaviour, and prefer not to live in groups but solitarily. They have a short tail with short stocky legs and small furry ears. They have different colourations on their coat. Hamsters have poor vision and colour blind animals. However, they have strong smelling and hearing senses. Hamsters are omnivorous in their food habits. They are not very active animals and can be easily bred in captivity. However, they are seasonal breeders in wild conditions. The lifespan of hamsters in wild could be about two years, and more in captivity.