Moss Rat
Moss rats are a small rodent species inhabiting Razhea Capita's Underworld.
Using their unique hooked hands, these rats can scurry up skyscrapers in minutes, slip through tiny gaps in caverns and abandoned buildings, and subdue predators by releasing a noxious gas from holes in their back. Moss rats are in the genus Leptorattus, commonly known as slender rats. They have flattened ribs and a softer skeleton that allows them to squeeze through extremely small spaces.
Moss rats have large eyes designed to take in as much light as possible. These animals can also detect thermal signatures, helping them locate warm, moist spaces. Having a wetter body allows the rats to release the noxious gas easier. These animals feed on numerous small plants and insects around plague-ridden stillwater ponds.
They are completely harmless, some inhabitants of the Underworld keeping them for company.
Newborn Length
1 millimetre
If they can release noxious gas, just how're they harmless? typo: skyscraper should be pluralised
It's comparable to a skunk! Doesn't actually hurt, but smells like absolute shit so it works very well as a deterrent xD
Ah. So why exactly are they kept as pets? Are there vets that are trained in the ways of rat de-stinking?
The same reason anyone gets a pet! These animals make good company and they can be quite lovable, like domesticated rats :D I imagine there are vets that de-stink rats, but like with skunks, it's an invasive procedure and in my experience with skunks irl, it's very difficult to actually make them spray you if you know how to handle yourself.