Food
Omnivore
Rats eat grains, fruit and scraps.
Eats plants and animals
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter RRat
Rat Facts for Kids: R Is for Rat
Rats are smart and can learn tricks as pets. They use their long whiskers to feel their way in the dark. Here are easy rat facts for kids: what rats eat, how big they grow, what a baby rat is called and where rats live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter R.
Mammaltype
Omnivorediet
Pupbaby name
Fun facts
Fun Facts About Rats
Two more true facts about the rat that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.
Rr
Say “Rat”
Rat starts with the letter R. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.
1
Did you know?
Rats laugh when tickled, in sounds too high for us to hear.
2
One more fact
They can swim for up to three days.
Act it outMove like a rat for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter R in “Rat”.
Ask a questionWhat would a rat eat for breakfast?
Quick facts
Rat Facts at a Glance
Everything a curious kid wants to know about the rat, in eight short cards.
Size
How big?
A rat is about 20 to 25 cm long plus tail.
Body sizeLife
How long?
Rats live for about 2 to 3 years.
LifespanBaby
Pup
A baby rat is called a pup.
Baby nameGroup
Mischief
A group of rats is called a mischief.
Group nameHabitat
Everywhere
Rats are found in everywhere people live.
Where they liveAnimal type
Mammal
Rats are smart and can learn tricks as pets. They use their long whiskers to feel their way in the dark.
Rat is a mammalLetter
R is for rat
Rat has 3 letters and starts with R.
Say: Rat
Quick quiz
Rat Quiz for Kids
A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.
Question 1
Score: 0
Free download
Free printable
Rat Coloring Page: Letter R Worksheet
Done reading about the rat? Print the free letter R sheet, say “R is for rat” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.
1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase RLowercase rTracing practiceFind the R animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Rat Questions Kids Ask
Rats eat grains, fruit and scraps. That makes the rat an omnivore, which means it is an animal that eats plants and animals.
A rat is about 20 to 25 cm long plus tail.
Rats live for about 2 to 3 years.
A baby rat is called a pup.
A group of rats is called a mischief.
Rats live in everywhere people live. Their favorite habitat is: everywhere.
Yes. The rat is a mammal. Rats are smart and can learn tricks as pets. They use their long whiskers to feel their way in the dark.
Rat starts with the letter R. Say it slowly and listen for the R sound at the start.
Keep exploring
All R animals
More Animals Like the Rat
Other R animals and more mammals to read about next.
Mammal
Rabbits have long ears that help them hear danger coming. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they chew a lot to keep them short.
Lives in: Grasslands Read rabbit factsMammal
Raccoons have clever front paws that work almost like little hands. The dark fur around their eyes looks like a mask.
Lives in: Forests Read raccoon factsMammal
The Uganda kob is a reddish antelope from Africa. It appears on the coat of arms of Uganda.
Lives in: Savanna Read Uganda kob factsMammal
The platypus has a bill like a duck and lays eggs, even though it is a mammal. It lives in rivers and streams in eastern Australia.
Lives in: Rivers & swamps Read platypus facts