rice rat

rice rat

n. Any of various rats of the tribe Oryzomyini of tropical and subtropical North, Central, and South America, especially Oryzomys palustris, a wetland species that feeds on grasses and seeds, including cultivated rice.

rice′ rat`

n. a long-tailed rat, Oryzomys palustris, of rice fields in North and Central America. [1880–85]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

rice rat - hardy agile rat of grassy marshes of Mexico and the southeastern United StatesOryzomys palustrisrat - any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mousegenus Oryzomys, Oryzomys - rice rats