negligerats

Negligerats are a fictional taxon used in speculative biology and urban folklore to describe a small, nocturnal mammal adapted to neglected human habitats. The name derives from the Latin neglego, meaning to neglect, reflecting their association with derelict or abandoned urban spaces. In typical depictions, negligerats resemble medium-sized rats, about 15 to 25 centimeters in body length with a tail of similar or slightly shorter length, and they have soft gray-brown fur, sharp incisor teeth, and highly sensitive whiskers. Some variants are imagined with elongated hind limbs that aid climbing and navigating cluttered environments.

Distribution and habitat: In fictional worldbuilding, negligerats are common in urban fringe areas, ruined buildings, rail yards, and overgrown lots. They thrive where food scraps are available but shelter is plentiful, often using wall cavities, debris piles, and abandoned infrastructure for nests. Their presence is sometimes portrayed as contributing to nutrient cycling and seed dispersal in neglected ecosystems.

Behavior and ecology: Descriptions typically cast negligerats as nocturnal and wary, living in small family groups. They communicate through a mix of vocalizations, scent marking, and tactile signals. They are usually omnivorous, foraging on seeds, fruits, insects, and human leftovers. In some worldbuilding narratives, they exhibit problem-solving abilities or social complexity to varying degrees, though many depictions emphasize their shy, elusive nature.

Reproduction and life cycle: Fictional accounts commonly describe litters of 2 to 6 offspring, with gestation around 22 to 28 days. Offspring may mature within a few months, allowing multiple litters per year in favorable conditions.

See also: speculative biology, urban folklore, fictional mammals.