Rats, recognized by many as vermin, were a non-sentient species of small rodents with fur. These creatures inhabited numerous planets across the galaxy, including Tatooine. A distinct prong-nosed subspecies also made its home on Lotho Minor. Typically, rats were covered in gray fur, possessed long, hairless tails, and had a highly developed sense of smell. They were occasionally observed consuming cadavers. Certain rats were specifically bred and maintained for purposes of scientific investigation.
Rodents known as rats were quadrupedal and non-sentient, typically exhibiting a gray and hairy coat. The tail of a rat, often considered "ugly" by Humans, was devoid of hair and exceeded the combined length of its head and body. Sensory whiskers were also present on their faces. Diverse subspecies of rats existed, one notable example being the prong-nosed variant found on Lotho Minor. Their acute sense of smell proved invaluable for detecting both potential threats and food sources. In some instances, they would scavenge from the remains of corpses that had been left behind. Like most living things, rats could be killed with a strong blow to the neck.
Around the time of 4 ABY, a small colony of grayish-white rats established themselves within the dungeons of Jabba Desilijic Tiure's palace on Tatooine. During the escort of the droid duo C-3PO and R2-D2 into the dungeons to meet Jabba's supervisor droid, three of these rats were observed clinging to a set of prison bars.
Within the broader galactic community, rats were generally viewed as undesirable pests. Humans often expressed their aversion to rats with disgust, sometimes resorting to kicking them, and using their name to insult despicable individuals. Han Solo likened the Directors, a trio of Squib criminals, to "oversized pack rats." Wuher, a bartender, referred to a group of scavenging Jawas as "tech-rats." Rats were to the surface of planets what mynocks were to space.
Measures such as locked grates were put in place to stop them from entering buildings through the sewers. Poisoned grain was sometimes used to eliminate them entirely.
Some rats were used as test subjects in laboratory experiments.
During the production of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, the prop list for the dungeon cell corridor contained the instruction, "PROPS: Weapons, Dustbin Droid, Animals (4 rats to SB/Y)."