mammal rat Rattus Fischer, 1803 MSW3:13001727 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. Rattus G. Fischer, 1803 Rat meat is a food that, while taboo in some cultures, is a dietary staple in others. rattus requires discussion