Rat

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/rat

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How many people live in Rat?Highly variable, capable of rapid growth and significant densities in favorable environments
2. What is the scientific name?Rattus
3. Where can rats live?Rats can live almost everywhere on Earth except Antarctica, from deserts and rainforests to cities and farms.
4. What do rats eat?Rats eat a wide variety of foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, insects, eggs, and even small animals. They also love to scavenge human food waste and crop leftovers.

Commensal organisms: Species that benefit from living in close association with humans without causing significant harm or benefit to the human host.
Dietary plasticity: The ability of an organism to adapt its diet to consume a wide range of available food sources.
Ecological engineers: Organisms that create, maintain, or alter habitats, significantly influencing the environment for other species.