Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia \u2014 Rats and shrews are often thought to be the\nsame animal. Both have small, dark-coloured bodies and are frequently\nfound around homes. However, they are two distinct types of animal.<\/p>\n
Dr Swastiko Priyambodo, a lecturer in the Department of Plant\nProtection at IPB University\u2019s Faculty of Agriculture, explained that\nrats and shrews differ not only in their physical appearance, but also\nin their diet, habitat and the risk of diseases they may transmit to\npeople.<\/p>\n
He said it was important for the public to recognise the differences\nso they can identify the animals correctly and remain alert to potential\nhealth risks.<\/p>\n
Swastiko explained that rats belong to the order Rodentia. Shrews,\nmeanwhile, have traditionally been classified under the order\nInsectivora.<\/p>\n
\u201cRats belong to the order Rodentia, or the group of rodents, and are\nomnivorous, especially eating cereals. Shrews belong to the order\nInsectivora and generally eat insects and earthworms,\u201d Swastiko said, as\nquoted on IPB University\u2019s official website on Tuesday (20 October\n2026).<\/p>\n
In appearance, rats generally have long tails and medium-sized,\nproportionate snouts. Shrews, by contrast, have shorter tails and\nrelatively longer, more pointed snouts.<\/p>\n
The animals also differ in where they live. The house rat,\nscientifically known as Rattus tanezumi<\/em>, usually inhabits the\nupper parts of buildings, such as ceilings and roof spaces.<\/p>\n The house shrew, or Suncus murinus<\/em>, is more often found at\nground level or on floors.<\/p>\n \u201cHouse rats live in roof spaces or ceilings, while house shrews live\non the ground or floors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In addition to house rats, there are house mice (Mus\nmusculus<\/em>), which are smaller, and sewer rats (Rattus\nnorvegicus<\/em>), which are larger. These three rodents are known as\ncosmopolitan species because they are widely distributed and follow\nhuman settlements across the world.<\/p>\n Which Is More Dangerous to Health?<\/strong><\/p>\n Although they may look similar at first glance, rats and shrews pose\ndifferent health risks. Swastiko said rats can carry various diseases\nthat may be transmitted to humans.<\/p>\n Diseases associated with rats include plague, leptospirosis and\nhantavirus infection. Leptospirosis, for example, can be transmitted\nthrough exposure to water or environments contaminated with the urine of\ninfected animals, including rats.<\/p>\n Swastiko said shrews do not carry the same diseases as rats.\nNevertheless, their presence in the home should still be dealt with\ncarefully, as wild animals may also carry disease-causing\nmicroorganisms.<\/p>\n The public is therefore advised to identify animals found at home\nbefore deciding on the appropriate way to deal with them.<\/p>\n Swastiko said house rats, house mice and house shrews can be caught\nusing glue traps. However, they must be handled carefully to avoid\ndirect contact with the animals or with objects that may be\ncontaminated.<\/p>\n People should also keep their homes clean, store food in sealed\ncontainers and reduce places where these animals could hide.<\/p>",
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