Some Interesting Tidbits on the world of Rats - Part 2



31. The previously believed information that rats cannot
transmit saliva-borne diseases has been disproved. But,
although rats can catch rabies, it is highly unlikely for a
rat to transmit rabies. Rabies from a rat bite has never
been documented in the United States, but rabies from the
bite of a wild rat has been reported from Poland, Israel,
Thailand and Surinam.

32. Soda does not make rats explode, as the common urban
legend claims. Dry yeast, however, can do so.

33. Rats bathe themselves, usually six times a day or more.
A rat's saliva and eye discharge often has pink pigmentation
which can discoloration of the fur on rats that have light-
colored fur. Baby wipes or a little shampoo on a damp
washcloth can take care of the problem.

34. In pet rat keepers' terminology, PEW stands for "Pink
Eyed White," the fancy rat terminology for "albino" or any
all-white rat with pink eyes. BEW stands for "Black Eyed
White" (a white rat that is not an albino).


35. Rats have bellybuttons like every other mammal.

36. Rats don't have gallbladders.

37. Rats don't have tonsils.

38. Some people say that a rat's fur smells like grape soda.

39. Pet rats can be trained to do simple tricks.

40. Pet rats can train humans to do simple tricks.

41. The National Geographic magazine said that a rat could
hypothetically survive a fall off of a five story building.
Don't test this.

42. A rat can swim for three days before it drowns.

43. Because they often stay in large groups rats can kill
larger animals, even lambs, piglets and poultry!

44. Rat packs (known as "mischiefs") can be up to sixty
strong!

45. The black plague killed more rats then people.


46. The movement of rats and mice is usually related to
food, water and safe hiding places.

47. Rats are excellent swimmers. Because of this and their
constant search for safe hideouts, wild rats often live in
sewers and occasionally even enter homes by swimming up
through toilets.

48. Rats and mice, like other rodents, frequently gnaw on
their surroundings, both for recreation and to keep their
ever-growing teeth trimmed.

49. The teeth of a rat grow up to six inches per year, and
only frequent gnawing of hard objects keeps them short and
sharp.


50. Since they are prey for many animals, rats and mice do
their foraging for food primarily at night.

51. If food is abundant, rats will usually finish their
foraging after the first half of the night. Mice are usually
active both right after dark and between midnight and dawn.

52. Both rats and mice will forage during daytime hours if
food is scarce, if there is an overpopulation of rats making
foraging competitive, or when they have come across poison
and the population is sick.

54. Rats are capable of swimming half a mile in open water
without stopping, and can stay afloat for up to three days.

55. A rat's teeth are so strong it can chew through
aluminum, lead and other metals, or concrete.

56. Ganesha, the Hindu god of prosperity, new beginnings and
luck rides around on a rat!

57. Rats have sweat glands on the bottom of their feet so
they leave a wet scent trail wherever they walk!

58. Rats have an average lifespan of two to three years in
captivity.


59. Male rats are called bucks, females are does, and babies
are pups or kittens.


60. Female rats go into heat every four or five days for
about twenty-four hours and may be restless during this
time.

See page One Rat Facts