2. Rats are various medium-sized, long-
tailed rodents. Rats are typically
distinguished from mice by their size;
rats are generally large muroid
rodents, while mice are generally
small muroid rodents.
3. Rats have poor vision. To compensate
for this, a red or pink eyed rat will often
weave its head side to side to add
"motion" to see better. They also don't
see in color.
4. Rats can also eat smaller pets. Rats are
omnivores, and have enough
predatory instinct left in them to
consider birds, fish and even some
smaller rodents as "snacks."
5. The oils in cedar and pine are toxic to
rats, and should not be used in their
bedding materials
6. Generally speaking, male rats make
better "lap" pets, preferring to sit and
have their ears scratched by an
attentive human friend. Female rats
are very curious, and love to explore
and play games. Both genders make
great companions.
8. The presence of rats can be detected
by droppings or evidence of fresh
gnawing
9. Norway rats are husky, brownish
rodents that weigh about 11 ounces.
They are about 13 to 18 inches long
including the 6 to 8 1/2 inch tail.
10. Rats will eat nearly any type of food,
but they prefer high-quality foods such
as meat and fresh grain. Rats require
1/2 to 1 fluid ounce of water daily
when feeding on dry food.
