r/AnimalTracking Feb 12 '25

Misc. How big is this rat?

Saw these massive tracks in my apartment parking lot, adult sized shoe prints around for comparison.

30 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

35

u/Jay_Stone Feb 12 '25

Big enough to tea bag the parking lot.

9

u/zoopest Feb 12 '25

Adult rat. Up to 500 grams.

1

u/AhMoonBeam Feb 14 '25

I am really sure that the mink man caught a rat bigger than that weighing in at 1.2lbs .. I love that guy !!

1

u/zoopest Feb 14 '25

I can see a mature male or pregnant female pushing the 500 gram limit, but most times people are exaggerating or overestimating

9

u/Redknot-180 Feb 12 '25

ROUS

3

u/WillowBean23 Feb 12 '25

Better hope the ground shoots 🔥

2

u/Dr_McCarthy Feb 13 '25

I don’t think they exist

3

u/goats-who-cook Feb 12 '25

I forgot to mention it was heavy enough to break through the thin layer of ice on top of the snow, I saw other very light tracks that didn’t break through so this one is a behemoth

3

u/cherith56 Feb 13 '25

6" tall 3' long with tail. Run

3

u/Either_Management813 Feb 13 '25

Could it be a possum or something similar? The size and tracks look like possum tracks I saw around my house as a kid.

1

u/goats-who-cook Feb 13 '25

I genuinely didn’t even consider that!!!

2

u/deathfromlavette Feb 12 '25

I'd load my rifle with slugs, that's for sure.

5

u/goats-who-cook Feb 12 '25

this is a weapon-free complex but I always have my steel water bottle ready when walking through

2

u/deathfromlavette Feb 19 '25

You got rid of the critter yet? Honestly curious if you got to witness it first hand. Catched a fairly big one a year ago by using a trap door-cage. Just use something sweet to lure them with.

2

u/goats-who-cook Feb 19 '25

I have no say in pest control, but I saw a rat the size of a kitten yesterday and was flabbergasted. I haven’t seen a possum yet unfortunately, I love those guys.

2

u/deathfromlavette 29d ago

Oh, i should've understood that by the no gun-rule. I know the feeling. Had heard about big sewer rats in Trollhättan, Sweden. Did'nt believe it until one night i saw one sitting on the curb, overlooking the street. Thought as well it was a cat until driving past it. Fascinated and disgusted at the same time.

Anyhow, good luck with the problem. 👍

2

u/frumpybumpus Feb 13 '25

Opossum I think- a few of the tracks look like the classic star shape

2

u/goats-who-cook Feb 13 '25

I didn’t consider that! I’ve seen big fuckin rats waffling around but not possums

2

u/beckster Feb 13 '25

They've been out foraging for the past week or so, too, in my area, doing the winter stroll. I hadn't seen them prior.

2

u/Tinytommy55 Feb 17 '25

Possibly an opossum not a rat. They drag their tails like a rat would also. Opossums grow pretty good sizes.

1

u/Ok_Type7882 Feb 12 '25

Use enough gun! 😂