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Tell me every thing on rats2007-11-24 22:15:14

i need to know every thing from breeding to bathing to caring for my rat please help!.

Answers:

Rat Care:

Background

The domestic rat is a descendant of the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and has been bred as a pet for about a hundred years. Pet rats are much less fearful than their wild cousins, and when handled gently, they quickly learn to enjoy riding on their human friends鈥?shoulders and napping in their laps.

The average rat ranges from 14 to 18 inches long, including the seven-inch tail. These companion rodents come in a variety of coat types and colors, from curly and shiny to black, white and black-and-white. If well cared for, rats typically live 2 1/2 to three years.

Curious, intelligent and always up for some fun, rats can be great pets for kids鈥攂ut young caretakers should always be supervised by an adult. These animals are not toys, and must be treated with kindness and respect.

Cost

When you first get your pet, you鈥檒l need to spend about $35 for a cage. Food runs about $50 a year, plus $20 annually for toys and treats, and $220 annually for litter and bedding material. We recommend purchasing your rats from a breeder or, even better, adopting them from a local shelter or small-animal rescue group.

Housing

Rats are very social with members of their own kind, and should be kept in pairs at minimum. Baby rats can be removed from their litters at about six weeks of age. A pair of females is recommended for first-time rat caretakers. Males can do well together if introduced when they are young. Females, on the other hand, are more accepting of new friends introduced later in life.