Rat Facts

Rat Facts:

• Rats take care of injured and sick rats in their group.
• Without companionship rats tend to become lonely and depressed.
• Rats have excellent memories. Once they learn a navigation route, they won’t forget it.
• When happy, rats have been observed to chatter or grind their teeth. This is often accompanied by vibrating eyes.
• Rats make happy "laughter" sounds when they play.
• Rats succumb to peer-pressure, just like humans. Brown rats are prone to disregard personal experiences in order to copy the behaviour of their peers. The urge to conform is so strong that they will even choose to eat unpalatable food if they are in the company of other rats who are eating it.
• Although very curious animals, rats are also shy, and prefer to run away than confront a potential threat.Rats are extremely clean animals, spending several hours every day grooming themselves and their group members. They are less likely than cats or dogs to catch and transmit parasites and viruses.
• A rat can go longer than a camel without having a drink of water.
• Rats’ tails help them to balance, communicate and regulate their body temperature.
• The rat is the first of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. People born in this year are thought to possess characteristics which are associated with rats, namely: creativity, intelligence, honesty, ambition and generosity.
• Rats are recognised as the vehicle of Lord Ganesh in Indian tradition. They are worshipped at the Karni Devi Temple, where priests and pilgrims will feed them grain and milk.

From:
http://www.onekind.org/be_inspired/animals_a_z/rat/

Starting a Rattery

Once Upon a Mischief Rattery is starting up :) I am a new breeder but have high hopes and great intentions.

I am working and learning with a great group of breeders and hope to create a healthy and thriving line of dumbo rats. My first goal is to always be a responsible and ethical breeder. Every rat is a pet first and a part of my family!

I have had pets my entire life and it is safe to say that I am a huge animal lover. Just about every kind of animal I adore and would do anything for. I've shared my life with cats, dogs, mice, rats, ferrets, a rabbit, a guinea pig, hamsters, birds and fish.

I have also been very involved in my local shelter. Volunteering with the cats, fostering kittens and trapping and releasing ferals. I have also done work with vets in giving shots and preparing cats for spaying & neutering.

I love animals. If I could I would save them all.

The moment I met my first rats I fell madly in love. They are amazing pets, smart, fun, adventurous, silly, playful, loving. All around perfect. They steal your heart in so many ways!

My main motivation for breeding began with the fact that it was difficult to find nonpet store rats in my area. There are few breeders and most require traveling quite a distance. I wanted to be able to keep rats in my life and develop healthy, long living, thriving rats with a great personality and beautiful look.