Don’t knock outhouse rats. I got hit with a bout of dysentary in Guatemala during a late night monsoon torrential storm. Had to put on boots, a poncho, pants, and hold a flashlight in my mouth, go up a muddy path, slide down a muddy path, jump a new stream, and go up a hill to the outhouse, all the while keeping my knees together.
By the light of the flashlight, I saw an outhouse rat (I think it was just a very large mouse because his ears would have made Mickey Mouse jealous). However, it was the two very deadly Fer-de-Lance snakes in the outhouse pits that kept us on our toes, literally. I guess they ate the rats in order to survive.
That was one night to remember.
PS: When in a jungle, NEVER EVER drink the water off the floor of a jungle, even if you think it is fresh. You’ll be sorry. I was.
I know what you mean by intimidating. I encountered one in Vietnam that literally stood its ground as I was approaching. The temptation to zap it was nearly irresistible.