Rats of New America: The Corpse Rat and The Jackrat

It seems that everywhere you find a group of humans, you'll find a clan of rats hiding in the shadows. This history seems born out of opportunity for the rat, but human's have done their part to help them get around the world rather easily. This commensalism - a relationship where one species benefits, but the other receives little or no harm - is probably the result of the sloppy nature of humans. The flagship rat species, Rattus Rattus, once originated in India, and while some of its cousins hung around on forest edges and fields, many found a living chasing down humans and loitering around their encampments for scraps. In more modern times, Rats are everywhere – at least everywhere that humans are. In almost every big city in the world, rats are eating human rubbish, breeding in human buildings, and running through city streets.
Even after 200+ years of nuclear fallout later, the relationship between man and rodent, be it good or not, has changed little. Even if the rodent's in question have

Scourge of the world, the pestilence bringer, ever-present yet hardly welcome. Many titles are given to the Corpse Rat, a large deadly rodent-like creature found within the deep darkness of caves, sewers and chasms surrounding New America. Oversized version's of pre-War Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) , large eyes allow them to see in near pitch black, low light conditions, and their large ears are perfectly tuned for listening to the sounds of prey who stumbled too far into the darkness.
Opportunistic omnivores that feed on all matter of filth as well as the sick weak dying or already dead, their disgusting diet causes their saliva to usually be laced with a cocktail of often quite dangerous pathogens, most of which are unknown to even science. Even if prey was too survive the initial attack, they are doomed for a slow, painful agonizing demise by horrible disease. Despite however their nonexistent dental hygiene and highly aggressive nature, Corpse rats are fairly low down in the subterranean food chain kept in check by Corpsecleaner centipedes.

However they have been known to travel above ground at night to attack wayward children, unsuspecting wildlife and loose pets. As a result they are often killed on sight and are often one of the common animals in New America to have bounties put of their heads.

In addition to the Corpse Rat, another large rat species makes its home in the New America landscape. However unlike its more aggressive cousin, this one makes it’s home in the comfort of a couch curled up in a lap, then a dank dirty sewer.
The North American Jackrat, so named for their behavior of slapping their foot on the ground like a Jackrabbit when they are content, are the result of the North American rat population being tainted by the radioactive fallout from the onslaught of atomic warfare. However unlike Corpse-rat, Jackrats, once derived from Fancy pet rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) , do not exhibit the same aggression that plagues their relatives, and instead have been domesticated as companions, adored and loved for their independent and loyal behavior, and high intelligence.

Not much separates the Jackrat from the Corpse-rat in terms of appearance. Much like the Corpse-rat, prolonged exposure to radiation has caused Jackrat to also double in size and age, with them growing to be the size of a medium sized dog, and where as their ancestor use to live only 2-3 years in captivity, Jackrats live almost triple that, ranging ages from 8-10 years, with the longest said to be almost 15.
One of the main differences in appearance between the two rodents is body-type. Jackrats are naturally a bit more smaller and more “plump” then Corpse-rat, with Jackrat having a rounder face, slightly rounder ears and a more healthy look to them, lacking a natural loss of fur and diseased look which is prevalent in Corpse-rat.
They also behave differently, as Jackrats are highly social animals, while Corpse-rat tend to be on the more solitary side outside of breeding pairs. Because of this, Jackrats can be housed together regardless of sex, as males are not all that aggressive towards one another. The same can not be said for the territorial Corpse-rat, who usually act intensely aggressive to any sex regardless. Being derived from fancy rats also gives Jackrats the ability to come in many forms of pattern and color, similar to those found in pre-war domesticated rats, that are not found outside in wild rat populations out-side of uncommon colors or morphs. Jackrats can also be taught to co-exist with other household pets, where as Corpse-rat are aggressive to anything and are more likely to kill then bond with their house-mates.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In comparison of the two animals, as in other pet species, a variety of colors, coat types, and other features that do not appear in the wild have either been developed, or have appeared spontaneously in Jackrat. Any individual rat may be defined one or more ways by its color, coat, marking, and non-standard body type.
In addition, many other variables seperate Jackrat from Corpse-Rat

• Corpse-Rat have a longer tail about the length of their body, While Jackrat's tail is half the length of their body.

• Corpse-Rat are more slimly built then Jackrat, who have a more sturdy body-type

• Jackrat have a more slanted, rounder face. Corpse-Rat have a pointed snout

• Jackrat have larger ear's then Corpse-Rat.

• Jackrat tend to be a rather large murid and can weigh twice as much as a Corpse-Rat

Genetics and Reproduction

Both types can breed throughout the year if conditions are suitable, with a female producing up to five litters a year. Similiar to common pre-war rat's, Females are capable of becoming pregnant immediately after giving birth, and can nurse one litter while pregnant with another. Compared to wild Corpse-Rat, Jackrat are shown to mate earlier, more readily, and for a longer period of time over their lifespan.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Corpse-Rat and Jackrat are opportunistic omnivores, similiar to their ancestors. However Corpse-Rat are know to feed on all matter of filth as well as the sick weak dying or already dead, making them more carnviore then omnivore. Jackrat are considered true omnivores, eating a wide range of foods, including seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi, and a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. They are generalists, and thus not very specific in their food preferences, which is indicated by their tendency to feed on any meal provided for cows, swine, chickens, cats, and dogs.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Both species, have acute hearing, are sensitive to ultrasound, and possess a very highly developed olfactory sense. Their average heart rate is 300 to 400 beats per minute, with a respiratory rate of around 100 per minute.

Scientific Name

Rattus mortife and Rattus Felix

Origin/Ancestry

Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) Fancy rat (Rattus norvegicus domestica)