Giant rat (Fallout: New Vegas)

Giant rats are creatures living in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.
==Characteristics==
===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 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, but can also commonly be seen roaming the streets in Freeside.
===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 in proximity or attacks them will they become hostile. Certain rats, such as the ones found in Freeside, will not attack even when 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. Occasionally, idle rats will make a sound similar to a howl.
==Variants==
===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 in 2281. They are found in the east central sewers, in the same room as "Sweet" Jill. Except for their size, they are identical in appearance to their smaller cousins, though are more aggressive and will attack on sight. If the Animal Friend perk is chosen, the unnaturally large rodents will not attack.
==Notes==
* Every three days, two children in Freeside will be seen chasing a non-hostile giant rat. If the Courier kills the rat, the children will say "Thanks, mister/lady" and perform an eating animation on the rat (like the Courier will perform if they have the Cannibal perk). The children will still "eat" the rat even if it was reduced to a pile of goo or ash. Sometimes, they may perform this animation several feet away from the rat. Eventually, the rat will respawn and the children will resume their never-ending chase. It is likely that these children are working for Genaro, as he mentions that he has his "little helpers" who gather food for him. The children have knives and baseball bats, but they will never be able to catch up with and attack the rat. 
* Giant rats are friendly if the Courier has the Animal Friend perk, but may be hostile to companions.
* It is possible to pickpocket a giant rat, though doing so will result in Karma loss.
* Their meat is not used in any crafting recipe.
* They are the only creature in the game whose tails can be severed.
* There is a unique dialogue option with Lady Jane in Freeside during the quest Debt Collector if the Courier has the Wild Wasteland trait. Lady Jane will ask them about the "R.O.U.S.'s" in the broc flower cave where her raided caravan lies if one offers to go there for her, to which the Courier replies "Rodents of unusual size? I don't believe they exist." This is a line taken from the 1987 film The Princess Bride. In the movie, Westley and Princess Buttercup are attacked by giant rats in the area known as "The Fire Swamp."
==Appearances==
Giant rats appear in Fallout: New Vegas.
==Behind the scenes==
* In Fallout: New Vegas concept art, the giant rat was 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 Fallouts rats, ROUSs are extremely large and dangerous.
* In Fallout 2, when the Chosen One speaks to Sajag in Klamath, there is a mention that Trapper Town has problems with R.U.S. - rodents of unusual size.
==Sounds==
* Giant rat attack
* Giant rat battle cry
* Giant rat hiss
==Gallery==
Giant_rats_BFC.jpg|Giant rats attacking in the broc flower cave
Meat.png|Giant rat meat
FNV Collect Edition 36.png|Concept art, Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide/Behind the Bright Lights & Big City
Category:Fallout: New Vegas creatures
de:Riesenratte (Fallout: New Vegas)
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fr:Rat géant (Fallout: New Vegas)
ru:Гигантская крыса (Fallout: New Vegas)
uk:Гігантський щур (Fallout: New Vegas)