TOP 10: Amazing talents of rats and related facts

Rats' habitat is vast

Rats thrive in most environments where food and shelter are available. Norway rats can be found in homes, warehouses, office buildings, sheds, basements, sewers, landfills and other places that provide ample food. They dig holes in the ground for shelter, nesting and food storage. Burrows usually start next to buildings, fences, or other cover. Black rats do not usually dig burrows; they are found above ground level: in trees, rocks, attics, upper levels of warehouses, wall cavities and roofs.

Shrews – Soricidae

The shrew mouse has a body from 30 to 50 mm, brownish-gray in color. The muzzle is elongated, with a long, sharp nose. The eyes are small. Legs are short. The tail may be short or long, depending on the species. Distributed everywhere except in the polar regions. They prefer a humid environment. They dig holes or hide near stumps, less often in human dwellings. The mouse hole is paved in the middle with soft grass and dry leaves. Shrews feed on insects and their larvae; they can also eat small lizards, frogs, and the young of other rodents. Reproduction occurs 1-3 times a year. Each litter contains 4-14 cubs. A pregnant mouse carries its young for 13-28 days. The life expectancy of shrews reaches 18 months.

Shrews – Sorex

Shrew

Shrews are a genus of rodents that belong to the shrew family. These are fairly small mice, about 7 cm, gray or brownish in color. They have an elongated, cone-shaped head and a long, pointed nose. The tail is no longer than half the body. They feed on insects, earthworms, arachnids, and small amphibians. They can also eat plant foods. Shrews live in the forests of Asia, Europe (Italian, Spanish, French regions) and North America. They build nests in other people's holes and old stumps. The mouse hole is lined with moss, leaves and twigs. Reproduction occurs in late spring. During the warm period they give 2-3 litters, 7-8 cubs each. Shrews dig the ground in search of food and to build burrows, which contributes to the penetration of oxygen into the soil and the natural regeneration of plantings.

Rats can squeeze through anywhere

A rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter thanks to its collapsible skeleton. Its ribs are hinged to its spine and can fold up like an umbrella, meaning that any opening large enough for a rat's head is large enough for the rest of its body.

Photo: www, pestologyltd.co.uk

Rats can even chew their way through thick wood, metal pipes, brick walls and cement. Their front teeth are long - they grow about 12-13 cm per year - and also very sharp. To keep their teeth from becoming too long, rats must constantly chew on hard objects and sharpen the edges of their upper and lower teeth against each other, like a knife on a whetstone. The teeth will eventually grow into the brain if rats stop sharpening them.

Rats are excellent athletes

The long claws on a rat's paws allow the rodent to scale brick or cement walls with the ease of Spider-Man. Getting down is also not a problem: a rat can fall from a height of 15 meters and land on its paws without injury. They are also phenomenal jumpers: rats can jump up to 60 cm in height from a standing position. According to one study, rats can lift objects that weigh almost 0.5 kg - more than the average body weight of a rodent.

Rats are able to stay in water for three days in a row (in laboratory conditions) and hold their breath under water for up to three minutes. This means they can swim through sewer pipes, squeeze through water pipes, and lick through a hole in a toilet. There are species that can swim more than 1.6 km without resting!

Fact 5: Can attack humans

But he does this only in a critical situation: either to protect himself and his offspring, or in case of severe famine. Here the saying about “a rat driven into a corner” comes to mind. In an aggressive state, she is able to jump up to a person’s face, clawing him hard. The jaws of this beast are so powerful that they are quite capable of cutting through flesh to the bone.

Important: If you are bitten by a rat, you do not need to try to stop the bleeding immediately. You should wait until bacteria that might be in the rodent's saliva comes out with the blood.

The first thing to do when bitten is:

• Wash the wound;
• Treat the bite site with an antiseptic, lubricate it with brilliant green or iodine;
• Apply antibacterial ointment to the wound and apply a bandage.

Remember that these animals are carriers of rabies. So you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible for a check-up.

A fight with an aggressive rat can be quite painful, even for an adult man. Although stories of people being bitten to death are more likely to belong to the realm of folklore, it would be wiser to retreat. An animal can indeed bite to death, but only the victim is immobilized or helpless (a paralyzed patient, a small child), and the animal is very hungry.

Rats size XXL

On average, a rat is about 40 cm long (including the tail) and weighs 450 grams. If a rat lives near a permanent food source, such as a trash can, it can grow up to 50 cm in length and weigh 0.9 kg. But this is insignificant compared to the Bosavi woolly rat, which was discovered in 2009 by a BBC expedition on the territory of an extinct volcano in Papua New Guinea. The animal was 81 cm long (including the tail) weighed more than 1.36 kg and showed no fear of people. It is believed to be one of the largest rats in the world. However, don't be afraid to meet it on the street: the rat, which scientists believe belongs to the genus Mallomys, lives only in the area of ​​the volcano.

Photo: www.animals.fandom.com

Unfortunately, scientific research has shown that regular rats are getting larger. On the other hand, researchers believe that physiology will not allow them to turn into giant rats. They will most likely never exceed 1 kg.

Clairvoyants

Everyone reads facts about rats with great interest; many people know about the sixth sense of these animals.
Rats are the first to leave a ship before it dies, regardless of the cause of the collapse - a natural disaster, shelling. In wartime, during the bombing period, people hid where the rodents fled. The animals leave the house together before a huge fire and never return to their previous places. Even after several years, when the smell of burning is no longer audible.

Rats do not live at testing grounds where various weapons are tested. During the war, soldiers noticed strange behavior of rodents before shelling. The day before, everyone disappeared somewhere in an unknown direction.

Interesting!

In the last century, France experienced a massive migration of rats. A huge clothing market was closing and moving to a new location. The rodents gathered together in a colony and left. And not just in an unknown direction, but precisely to where a place has been prepared for a new market.

They have very sensitive taste buds

Poisoning a rat is not easy. Animals can detect infinitesimal amounts of poison in food—as little as one part in a million. It's like finding a teaspoon of cocoa in 5,909 liters of milk. Rats are also wary when eating unfamiliar food; they start by tasting a tiny piece of food to make sure that the food is harmless.

Sometimes rats bite sleeping people on the face and hands at night, attracted by food debris on human skin. Once a rat bites a person, the chances of it biting people again increases. It's like finding a new favorite dish and ordering it at every restaurant you visit.

The rat has an incredible sense of smell

They have a hypersensitive nose and are especially sensitive to unpleasant odors, which can cause respiratory distress. These small rodents have a nose with 1,207 olfactory receptor genes. They come just behind elephants (1,948 genes) but are far ahead of humans (396 genes) and dogs (811 genes).

Photo: Oxana Kuznetsova

This is likely due to the fact that rats have evolved a sense of smell to be able to sniff out hidden food sources. Rat Nose is so good that it helped clear landmines from Mozambique, and they are now clearing landmines in Cambodia, Zimbabwe and Angola. The rats themselves are too small to detonate the mines, so they are completely safe. The rats simply point out where the explosives are buried so that the mine can be safely detonated.

Rats are very sociable

In the wild, rats tend to live in groups of five, often living in close proximity to other rat families. In areas of low density there is one male per group, which is highly territorial. He is the only mating partner for females. In areas of higher density, males tend to be less territorial, and there may be several males in a group.

These rodents also love human company and may respond to their name. Rats are easy to train. Just like dogs, they will do anything for a tasty treat. They enjoy the interaction they get from doing things like searching, jumping, and coming when called.

Fact 3: They talk to each other

Moreover, their vocabulary is very diverse. They communicate with each other through various sounds, each of which has its own meaning. That is why in the rat community the connection between individuals is so well established: they communicate, negotiate, share impressions, almost like people. But such conversations are inaccessible to human ears, since the frequency range of these sounds is different from ours.

What else gray pests have in common with people is the fear of tickling. Like us, rodents have sensitive points on their bodies, when you tickle them you can hear a real rat laugh.

The rats laugh, but we don't hear it

Rats make high-pitched chirping sounds (especially when tickled), but humans cannot hear them. Rats communicate at a very high frequency, above 50 kilohertz, so we unfortunately cannot hear their laughter without the help of a bat detection device. Rats especially love to be tickled on the back of their heads. When happy, they chatter or grind their teeth, accompanied by eye twitching. But they will stop laughing when conditions change, such as a bright light or the smell of an approaching cat. Research shows that primates such as bonobos and chimpanzees, dogs and dolphins can also laugh.

In Novosibirsk there is a monument to laboratory rats and mice

Photo: Irina Gelbukh / Wikimedi

The monument, 1.82 meters high, is located in the courtyard of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in Novosibirsk. A bronze rodent knitting a DNA double helix, with a small pince-nez on its nose, is installed in memory of the rodents used in laboratory tests. Between 85 and 95% of animals used in laboratories are rodents, including rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils. In the United States alone, 100 million rodents are tested annually.

Rats are known carriers of disease.

They were involved in the spread of about 40 diseases: bubonic plague, typhus, leptospirosis, hemorrhagic fever, salmonella, tapeworm, etc. There are many ways that people or pets can contract the above diseases from rats: rodent bites/scratches, ingestion of contaminated food or water, inhalation of contaminated dust, direct contact with an infected rodent, and bites from infected fleas or ticks.

For many years, rats with plague-infected fleas were thought to have caused the Black Death (1347–1351). The pandemic has killed about 25 million people in Europe, almost a third of the European population. However, recent research suggests that another rodent is to blame for the Black Death: gerbils. The wet conditions of the time caused gerbils, not rats, to flourish. In addition, the distemper virus can be carried by a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, camels, sheep, goats, chipmunks and squirrels. In fact, more than 200 animals are considered carriers of bubonic plague.

Care and maintenance

Even a person who has never had a pet before can take care of decorative rats. Even before purchasing a pet, you should acquire a cage and all the necessary equipment, as well as filler that will serve as bedding.

The future owner should study the recommendations of veterinarians regarding the maintenance, hygiene and nutrition of the rodent.

Cage and filler

Your pet will spend most of its time in a cage, so it is important to choose a comfortable and spacious home. The recommended area for one rat is 40x60 cm. The height of the cage can be different, but not less than 40 cm. In a high cage, you can make several tiers if you install ladders between them.

Attention! It is not recommended to keep a rat in an aquarium due to poor ventilation. And the jar will be too crowded for a domestic rodent. In addition, such a limited space is more difficult to maintain cleanliness.

A cage for a domestic decorative rat should be made of steel and have a high tray made of durable plastic. It is important to make sure that the door closes securely - some rats are so dexterous that they manage to open the door from the inside.

The place for the cage should be protected from drafts and direct sunlight. If there is also a cat living in the house, then it is better to fix the structure on the wall. Suitable height is 1.3-1.5 meters.

The home is equipped with equipment. The feeder is fixed to the cage wall from the inside. A porcelain container is used as a drinking bowl. It is quite heavy, so the chance of turning it over during active games is minimal.

In addition, the rodent will need different toys:

• hammock;
• stairs;
• tunnels.

Despite the fact that the domestic decorative rat simply loves to run and climb, you should not clutter its home. There should be enough free space left in it, because due to low mobility the rodent will become fat. A house for sleeping is placed inside. During the daytime, the house rat sleeps there. This is where the pet stores its food supplies. To grind down your teeth you will need a mineral stone or special sticks for rodents.

Extra equipment:

1. A litter tray is not placed in the cage. The rodent will choose the corner in which to relieve itself.
2. Running wheel. This item is not needed for two reasons - rats do not like to run in place, in addition, the rodent can be injured if its tail gets caught in the bars. It is allowed to use a running wheel made of fine mesh or solid plastic with a diameter of at least 30 cm. But it is more likely to be used as a bed.
3. Walking ball. Running around the apartment in such a device causes stress for a domestic decorative rat.

Bedding is placed in the pallet. The main requirements for the filler are safety, good absorption capacity and elimination of unpleasant odors. Types of fillers:

1. Wood shavings from hardwood - alder, oak, beech or cherry. Pine chips are not suitable - they contain a lot of essential oils that irritate the respiratory system.
2. Paper. Does not cause allergies, does not generate dust and absorbs moisture well. However, it gets dirty quickly and you have to change it often.
3. Many pet rat owners prefer cellulose pellets.
4. Corn filler. It costs more than previous options, but is in demand because it is completely natural, removes odors well, is edible and absolutely safe.

Attention! The following are not suitable for bedding for a domestic rat: hay, silica gel, newspapers (they contain printing ink). Also, fillers with fragrances should not be used.

Pet rats - hygiene

Decorative rats love cleanliness. Cleaning the cage should be done regularly - every 5-7 days. If there are a large number of rodents - more often.

1. During cleaning, the pups are transferred to a high box or other container.
2. Dirty bedding and food from the feeder are thrown away.
3. The tray is thoroughly washed with hot water. Heavy stains can be removed with a soda solution.
4. It is advisable to periodically disinfect equipment such as hammocks, stairs and tunnels.

The water in the domestic rat's drinking bowl is updated daily.

Do you need to wash your rat?

Veterinarians do not recommend bathing pet rats, although in nature they are good swimmers. Rodents know how to care for their fur. If your pet smells unpleasant, it means you need to clean the cage more often or try a different litter.

If there is heavy dirt on the fur coat, washing in warm water is allowed. But if you can do without it, then it’s better to do so.

Why is bathing a rodent undesirable:

• the rat will experience stress;
• if water gets into the ears, otitis media will develop;
• your pet may catch a cold.

Taming a rodent

Each domestic decorative rat has its own character. Some are tamed in a few days, others will need a whole month to get used to the new environment and trust the owner.

In the first days of your pet’s stay in the apartment, it is important to talk to him more often in a calm voice. At this stage, it is enough to stand at the cage and extend your hand so that the rodent remembers the smell.

Your pet rat will develop good associations if you regularly feed it by hand. Later you can try to pick it up. The main thing is that the rodent itself comes up and sits on the palm.

Under no circumstances should you grab a rat and force it out of its cage. After some time, the pet will understand that it is not in danger when communicating with a person.

Rodent training

The main thing when it comes to training is patience. You cannot use rudeness and force; this method of training will not work. The most effective motivator is encouragement in the form of affection and treats. You need to choose the right time and place for training. Your pet rat should feel well and be a little hungry. It is better to train a rodent in an environment that is familiar to it.

The essence of training comes down to getting your pet rat to move on command and rewarding it for it. If she manages to perform the same action several times, she will form an association. In the future, the decorative rodent will follow the command to get a treat.

A pet rat can be taught:

• bring small items;
• return to the cage;
• dance on hind legs;
• overcome the obstacle course.

They have incredible fertility

When it comes to reproduction, rats leave rabbits far behind. When they are not eating, they usually mate. During one six-hour receptive period, a female rat can mate up to 500 times, which helps explain how a pair of rats can eventually produce 15,000 offspring in one year and why they are the most widespread mammal in the world.

Photo: www.squeaksandnibbles.com

Rats reach reproductive age five weeks after birth, and continue to reproduce until about two years of age. Gestation usually lasts about three weeks, and litter sizes range from 6 to 20 pups. Peak reproduction occurs in spring and autumn.

House mouse – Mus musculus

House mouse

Body length is 6.5-9.5 cm. It can be either a brownish-gray or a completely black mouse. The ears are round in shape. The tail is covered with sparse, short hairs, under which scales are arranged in a ring. The tail reaches half the length of the mouse's body. Lives everywhere except Antarctica and the Far North. They can live both in natural conditions and where people live. Accordingly, if a domestic mouse lives in a house, then it feeds on leftover food, cereals, and in natural conditions it can be grain crops, plant foods, and insects. The house mouse is very prolific. At home, it reproduces all year round, and in nature in the warm season. Pregnancy lasts 19-21 days. There are up to 14 litters per year, up to 12 cubs in each. A characteristic feature that sets the house mouse apart from other types of mice is its muscoid odor, which can smell like urine or sweat. They acquired this smell due to the fact that mice mark their territory. On their paws there are sweat glands that emit a specific odor. These rodents are bred as live food for reptiles, spiders and birds. The mouse is also a laboratory model in laboratory research. House mouse

In China, rats are highly valued.

Rats are considered smart and quick-witted animals, capable of surviving everything that life throws at them - be it earthquakes, famine or war. According to Chinese zodiac legend, when the Jade Emperor invited the animals to a feast, the Rat mounted the Ox and jumped off as soon as they arrived, finishing first. Rats are also considered wealth animals and are revered as symbols of fertility in China. The ancient Egyptians and Mayans also worshiped rats. And people born in the year of the Rat are traditionally considered cunning, witty and wealthy.

Did you know?

• All rats belong to the genus Rattus, which includes 51 species.
• Rats don't sweat. They only have sweat glands on the skin of their paws, which are not sufficient for cooling. To regulate their body temperature, they constrict or dilate the blood vessels in their hairless tails.
• The lifespan of a rat depends on whether it is a wild animal or a domestic animal. Rats kept in captivity can live up to 4 years. In the wild, they typically live 2-3 years. They are hunted by owls, hawks, snakes, dogs, cats and other predators.
• Rats have very poor eyesight. They also suffer from color blindness.
• A rat can go without water longer than a camel. Surprisingly, the kangaroo rat (genus Dipodomys) can spend its entire life in the desert without drinking water. It receives most of the moisture it needs from seeds.
• A rat's heart beats 650 times a minute!
• Cedar and pine oils are toxic to rats and should not be used as bedding.
• Rats were among the first animal astronauts. In 1961, France launched a rocket into space with a rat on board.
• Rats are clean people. Rodents, so often associated with sewers and garbage cans, are actually very clean animals. They spend several hours a day cleaning.
• The Dumbo Rat is a fancy rat with large, round ears that give it a cute teddy bear appearance, making it a very popular pet.

Rodents are cannibals

Rats and mice eating each other are not fiction. This is practiced in every family of rodents. The female eats weak cubs, leaving only strong offspring alive. If a male gets into the nest, he calmly eats his own.

Interesting!

There was one effective method in the naval army. 5 rats were thrown into a metal barrel. They were starving. They began to eat each other, the strongest survived. But this was already a cannibal beast, which, when released, hunted for its relatives.

Rats eat each other when there is a lack of food, or if a stranger wanders into the pack. In other situations, animals show humanity to each other, even trying to take a wounded relative with them. Eating is common, but not natural.

Interesting!

An eyewitness described the story on the forum. He hit me in the barn and left me to die. He returned a few hours later and saw an interesting picture - several rats were trying to drag her away with them.