June is nearly over and it’s time to bid the friendly rat a fond farewell. We hope you enjoyed our tweets on these charming but misunderstood rodents as you followed us on Twitter @ExoticPetVets. If you missed any of our fun and fascinating facts on rats, here is a summary of our tweets. You can also find out more information about rats in the illustrated articles section of our web site. Did you know?:
- In scientific classification, rats belong to the Muroidea – a superfamily of rodents, that includes mice and gerbils.
- Domestic rats, those kept as pets and used in research, are descended from the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus).
- Domestic rats have been bred and kept in captivity for about 100 years.
- There are different varieties of domesticated rats, such as Hooded, Rex and Dumbo.
- Rats have various colours, including solid, patterns and coats in which individual hairs are banded in multiple colours.
- Rats’ coats can vary depending on rat type. Some have course or stiff hair, some have curly hair and some have no hair.
- Rats are intelligent, social, interactive pets. They’re very clean, despite popular belief, and are diligent at grooming.
- Rats can also be taught tricks!
- Rats are used extensively in research, hence the term “lab rat.”
- Because of their intelligence, rats are the subjects of many psychological experiments.
- A study from the University of Minnesota found that rats, like humans, can feel regret.
- Another study suggests rats are capable of empathy and altruism.
- Rats are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat anything when it is available (both plant and animal protein).
- Pet rats are prone to obesity if not fed properly.
- Pet rats’ diet should mostly be pellets formulated for rodents + a variety of small pieces of fruits & veggies daily.
- Rats can have the occasional treat. Small amounts of healthy “people” food is OK, but never give them junk food.
- Rats in captivity can be housed peacefully together as they are social creatures and rarely fight.
- Male rats can live well together if housed together starting at a young age.
- Female rats are more accepting of new cage mates at any age, but if she’s a new mom she may fight with other females.
- Rats are easy to train and have an excellent sense of smell – two traits that have garnered rats employment with humans.
- There are rats who have been trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis with their keen sense of smell.
- There is also a case of a rat named Rattie, who helped wire U.S. schools to the Internet.
- Rats abound in folklore, literature, popular culture and everyday speech, with mostly negative portrayals.
- The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a famous tale of a rat-catcher who lures rats – then kids – out of town by playing a pipe.
- “Rat” is used to describe a person who betrays associates. It’s also used as a verb to describe the act of snitching.