Where Do Rats Originate From?
WouterThere is no definitive answer to the question of where do rats originate from. Researchers have found fossil evidence that demonstrates the presence of brown rats in southern China during the Pleistocene. However, the paleontological evidence is not sufficient to compare the brown rat to closely related species. The modern rat is thought to be 100% derived from populations that had undergone commensal adaptations before domestication.
Rats are considered to be omnivorous animals. They feed on a variety of things including grains and insects. They are also known to kill small birds and reptiles. However, some species of rats prefer vegetarian diets, such as the Hoffman’s rat and the Sulawesi white-tailed rat. Rats also build nests in any material, like logs and stones, or in crevices.
Rats are classified as either brown or black. The brown rat is the dominant species in temperate and urban areas. It is thought to have originated in Asia and India. It is now found in nearly every continent except Antarctica. Its widespread distribution makes it difficult to determine the exact origin of the species.
Rats were first recorded in Asia around 54 million years ago. In fact, their fossils were found in Europe and Asia more than three hundred thousand years ago. They are descendants of a rodent-like ancestor called anagalids.
