Giant Rat (Fallout: New Vegas)

Giant rats are creatures living in the Mojave Wasteland.

Biology
Giant rats appear to be larger versions of normal pre-War rats, although they appear to have lost most of their fur, they have spotted skin like molerats, and have glowing turquoise eyes. Similar to their pre-war counterparts, they have very large incisors. Giants rats are often found in darker areas, such as Cerulean Robotics, the broc flower cave and Vault 11.

Gameplay attributes
Giant rats will not attack on sight, but will stand defensively in the way bighorners do when an enemy is spotted. Only when the player character comes into close proximity or attacks them will they become hostile. Certain rats, such as the ones found in Freeside, will not attack despite being assaulted. As with most mutated animals, giant rats will not attack if the Courier has the Animal Friend perk. Giant rats are also susceptible to, and count towards, the Animal Control perk. Crippling their tails will cause it to frenzy and start attacking all targets indiscriminately. Occasionally, idle rats will make a sound similar to a howl.

Giant rat
Giant rats are light brown color, with glowing blue eyes and white hair down its back. The standard giant rat is equal in size to a mole rat. They are quite fast and attack in groups of three to seven.

Giant rat pup
These young rats look identical to fully grown giant rats, albeit smaller than the standard giant rat. They usually don't attack but instead run away. However, if pups are encountered with normal giant rats, they will accompany them in the assault.

Rodent of unusual size


Found in the broc flower cave and New Vegas sewers, rodents of unusual size are the largest of the mutated rats found in the Mojave Wasteland to date. They are identical to their giant cousins, save for their increased size and attack strength. They are aggressive and will attack on sight unless the player character has the Animal Friend perk. They can sometimes be found in Vault 11 if the Wild Wasteland perk is chosen.

Unnaturally large sized rodent
These are uniquely large giant rats, with only two in existence. They are found in the east central sewers, in the same room as "Sweet" Jill. They are aggressive and will attack on sight.

Appearances
Giant rats appear in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes

 * In the Fallout: New Vegas concept art, the giant rat has been described as "smaller than a dog but bigger than a cat."
 * The rodents of unusual size are named in reference to William Goldman's novel and film The Princess Bride. In the film and novel, rodents of unusual size (or ROUS for short) attack the protagonists. Like Fallout's rats, ROUSs are extremely large and dangerous.
 * In Fallout 2, when the Chosen One speaks to Sajag in Klamath, in the dialogue there will be mentioned that Trapper Town has problems with R.U.S. - rodents of unusual size.

Sounds

 * Giant rat attack
 * Giant rat battle cry
 * Giant rat hiss