Rats are thought to have originated from Asia moving into Europe in 1553 and then into the USA in 1775. They are mammals that belong to the rodent family (the word rodent is derived from the Latin word rodere which means to gnaw). Rats live in burrows and they are excellent swimmers. They have large incisor teeth that are continually growing, necessitating gnawing to prevent the teeth from overgrowing.
The males are larger and fatter than the females, males being approximately 20-25cm from nose to the base of the tail and females being 16-18cm in length. They are nocturnal becoming more active in the evening and during the night. Their average life span is 2-2.5 years and they can live longer, up to 3-4 years has been known.
There are many species of rats throughout the world, the rat domesticated and kept as a pet is the brown rat also known as the sewer rat and is referred to as the Fancy Rat. There can be prejudice against rats due to the spread of plague but this was the Black Rat and it was not actually the rat itself that carried the plague but the fleas that it carried. They are intelligent and affectionate which makes them wonderful pets.
The original colour of the rat in the wild is golden brown, commonly known as Agouti but as rats have been bred over the years a number of colour mutations have occurred. By combining the different colours it is possible to breed a further variety of Agouti and
self-colours.
Domesticated rats have been selectively bred for calm dispositions and make great pets. Rats are clean and easy to care for. They have two distinguishing characteristics that set them apart form other small animals. First, they are more intelligent: they can learn their own names and can learn a variety of tricks. Second, they are very social and enjoy human interaction. These qualities make them great pets for children. Rats are fun loving and curious, they are interactive and like to be played with. Because they are social, they should be bought in same sex pairs as they like the company of another rat. Of all the small animals, rats are least likely to bite, although all animals will
bite if they feel frightened or scared. Unfortunately, many people do not think of keeping a rat as a pet, but they have been domesticated for thousands of years.
Any high quality rat food is recommended. This needs to be supplemented with small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Appropriate vegetables include broccoli, kale, bok choy, and sweet potatoes, fruits and vegetables can be fed cooked or raw. Fresh fruits can include the following: grapes, cherries, bananas, apples, and melons. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Your rat's cage should be at least 24" long by 12" side by 12" high. Both aquariums and wire cages can be used, although a wire cage is the best type of housing. It is possible that aquariums can become too warm or damp and rats need a well-ventilated, dry environment. Rats prefer cages with
solid, and not wire floors. You should include a next box for your rat and climbing toys as well. Cleanliness will go a long way toward keeping your rat healthy. The bedding should be completely changed at least once per week. When handling your rat, every movement should be made fairly slowly. A rat has poor eyesight, so you should let it take its time to get accustomed to your hand. Use both hands, grasp it firmly but gently around the chest while supporting its back feet with your other hand. Rats should not be picked up by the tail. Rats are tame but need socialization, so frequent gentle handling will convince your rat that you are trustworthy.
All rodents have incisor teeth that constantly grow. In a captive environment, these teeth can grow to a length that makes it difficult to the animal to eat. To prevent this, an abrasive gnawing material (such as a chew stick or chew treat) should be provided at all times to help wear the teeth down.
A male rat is called a buck and a female is called a doe. Babies are weaned at 3-4 weeks of age. To check for a healthy rat, look for the following: the coat should be sleek and smooth with no bare patches, the eyes should be bright with no discharge, the ear should be clean with no reddening, the teeth should be straight and parallel and not overlong, the nose should be clean with no discharge. A sick rat may have a hunched appearance
Info obtained from http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/small/info.htm
Rats
