# "Rats the size of cats" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 27, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528 "2011-12-27T16:23:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/41 "2011-12-28T15:17:14Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Again, “I have seen big rats” doesn’t provide any substantive support for the allegation that wild _Rattus_ rats reach the size of cats. They were the size of cats. Q.E.D. Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/42 "2011-12-28T15:45:46Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > They were the size of cats. Q.E.D. No they weren’t. What was their weight, and their head-body length, exactly? An anecdotal allegation of size is worthless without some evidence to back it up. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/43 "2011-12-28T18:24:57Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > No they weren’t. > > What was their weight, and their head-body length, exactly? An anecdotal allegation of size is worthless without some evidence to back it up. Two feet long, 10 pounds ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/44 "2011-12-28T20:55:09Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Two feet long, 10 pounds Fabrication is even less evidence than anecdote. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/45 "2011-12-28T21:54:34Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Two feet long, 10 pounds > [@Colibri](#): > > Fabrication is even less evidence than anecdote. “Fabrication”… Is that the _‘PC’_ term for _ **“BULLSHIT!”** _? 😕😃 ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/46 "2011-12-28T22:03:27Z")
[Here’s](https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQc4k1m6oNhsoYJ9glJrNwsJLitKtqx3yE7HOnUS4Lz_iPPnzVv) a well documented case of one. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/47 "2011-12-28T22:06:10Z")
> [@indian](#): > > I am no expert in this. > > But these rats were exception.My dad had seen one scaring a cat on one occasion.( cats were no big sized either) > > Most were regular sized ones, typical to tapioca farms. Just because it scared a cat does not make it bigger than a cat. Sorry, but your father’s anecdote doesn’t cut it as fact here. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/48 "2011-12-28T22:36:46Z")
> **[Photo Proof: Giant rat slain in Brooklyn, New York](https://gizmodo.com/photo-proof-giant-rat-slain-in-brooklyn-new-york-5834527)** > > Last week, we reported that rodents of unusual size (the size of freaking rabbits to be precise) were invading New York. Today we have photographic evidence that these rats are here, and they are ready to take over. I’ve seen cat sized rats along the railroad tracks in Fairfax…eating snacks. 🆒 They aren’t like the little regular ones with the pointy nose. These had a flatter face, possibly different species altogether. They were fast, not a slow lumbering possum or something. Kinda like these…[Nutria - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coypu) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/49 "2011-12-28T23:15:22Z")
> [@Jamicat](#): > > [http://io9.com/5834527/photo-proof-giant-rat-slain-in-brooklyn-new-york](http://io9.com/5834527/photo-proof-giant-rat-slain-in-brooklyn-new-york) As already mentioned above, that photo is of a African Giant Pouched Rat (Gambian Pouched Rat), and is not a _Rattus_ rat. The photo makes it look larger than it actually is. > [@](#): > > I’ve seen cat sized rats along the railroad tracks in Fairfax…eating snacks. 🆒 > > They aren’t like the little regular ones with the pointy nose. > > These had a flatter face, possibly different species altogether. > > They were fast, not a slow lumbering possum or something. > > Kinda like these…[Nutria - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coypu) Yes, nutria/coypu occur in many states, and are often larger than cats. But they are not _Rattus_ rats, and only distantly related to them. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/50 "2011-12-29T00:10:54Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Just because it scared a cat does not make it bigger than a cat. Sorry, but your father’s anecdote doesn’t cut it as fact here. I have seen them also, at least a couple. But as I said they were excception compared to the other ones( there were plenty of rats). Of course, I didn’t get them photographed with a cat(Bin Laden style) to provide a cite for a message board I would join years later. (Please remember these cats were normal sized ones, not the pampered fat cats). ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/51 "2011-12-29T02:04:26Z")
All right, if you happen to see one grab your camera. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/52 "2011-12-29T02:42:39Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > All right, if you happen to see one grab your camera. Grab your shotgun. If it actually is the size of a cat you’ll establish a new rat world record. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/53 "2011-12-29T02:45:17Z")
> [@indian](#): > > I have seen them also, at least a couple. But as I said they were excception compared to the other ones( there were plenty of rats). > > Of course, I didn’t get them photographed with a cat(Bin Laden style) to provide a cite for a message board I would join years later. (Please remember these cats were normal sized ones, not the pampered fat cats). Your personal anecdote is no better than your father’s. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/54 "2011-12-29T03:07:18Z")
In several decades of riding subways, I never saw a rat as large as a cat. I did see some the size of Godzilla, but that’s different. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/55 "2011-12-29T03:20:26Z")
I have seen some that I believe would qualify, although I didn’t chase them down to measure them. Seen them here in Bangkok of course, but also back in West Texas of all places. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/56 "2011-12-29T04:01:14Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I have seen some that I believe would qualify, although I didn’t chase them down to measure them. Seen them here in Bangkok of course, but also back in West Texas of all places. With all due respect, that’s very unlikely. As I said above, it is very difficult to evaluate size accurately in the field, especially lacking a direct comparison. It’s much more likely that your size estimate was off than that you actually observed rats substantially larger than any others ever recorded. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/57 "2011-12-29T04:44:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > With all due respect, that’s very unlikely. As I said above, it is very difficult to evaluate size accurately in the field, especially lacking a direct comparison. It’s much more likely that your size estimate was off than that you actually observed rats substantially larger than any others ever recorded. Perhaps in Thailand they have other large rats? I mean, even looking at my pet rat, Ratty, who was grossly obese and still weighed barely over 3#, I can’t imagine a Rattus N. that would weigh more than that. But like you mentioned, there are other rat species. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/58 "2011-12-29T05:05:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Perhaps in Thailand they have other large rats? There are large rats in southeast Asia, like the Mountain Giant Sunda Rat\*\* Sundamys infraluteus,\*\* but they live in mountain forests, not in cities like Bangkok. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/59 "2011-12-29T15:40:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Fabrication is even less evidence than anecdote. So you say I’m lying? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528/60 "2011-12-29T15:56:41Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > So you say I’m lying? I’m sure \*\*Colibri \*\*is applying strict scientific methodology and simply saying anecdotal evidence can be inaccurate. He seems to be kind of picky about those things. The well known phenomena of repulsive things actually growing in size when observed has never been completely demonstrated under laboratory conditions, so he probably discounts that possibility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rats-the-size-of-cats/607528.md?page=4)