Without companionship rats tend to become lonely and depressed. Two of the most common rat species in the country are the black and brown rats.

Myth 4: Rats Bite Rats actually bite much less than any other species of pocket pet because they are more intelligent, and during their early years of domestication were bred to be docile.

A big Norway rat has a body about 8 inches long, with a tail nearly as long. They also don't share behavior with rodents. Rats also bite sleeping people, especially children, when food odor is present. Part of the reason for the diverse nomenclature is that members of both species vary in color as well as size, and are happy living in a wide variety of environments. BY Sonya Vatomsky. Some other key facts include: Rats can range in size from a few inches to monster rats that get as big as 10 inches. In fact, bats eat pests, which brings us to … 3. In 1894, doctors discovered that the 'bubonic plague' (look in symptoms) was actually caused by germs carried by fleas that lived on black rats. when the rats died, the fleas found a new home - a person. Fact: The two common rat species people are likely to encounter, the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and the Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) rarely reach over 15 ounces. 8 Interesting Facts About Rats. The rat must recognize distress in another and then put aside its own fear to provide assistance. The main carrier of these parasites are cats, but microorganisms can be carried by other warm-blooded creatures, including humans. Rats Can Swim.

They tend to form very tight family bonds Amy Tikkanen is the general corrections manager, handling a wide range of topics that include Hollywood, politics, books, and anything related to the Titanic. The story of the the brown rats' domestication is actually very interesting. (Note: the following are attributes of … A few examples approaching 2 pounds have been recorded in captivity, but these rats become older and heavier than would likely occur in the wild.

--Pet owners worldwide love cute, friendly and cuddly animals… One animal that’s always been criminally overlooked is the Rat. When happy, rats have been observed to chatter or grind their teeth. Rubbing a rat's belly like you would a dog's isn't recommended until the rat trusts you and is very comfortable with you. In suitable conditions, rats can breed all year round but on average, a female rat can produce up to five litters a year - a litter usually has 6-14 rats.
For example, bats don't chew on wood, metal, or plastic, and usually aren't nuisances. Myth: Cats, dogs, and primates are the animals most used in research. False!