Fun Trivia » Animals » Pet Rodents » Domestic Rats

If I had my way, I'd use all four of those interchangeably since rats love to squeak, bother and scrabble as well as they love to make mischief! However, mischief is the answer. Difficulty: Hard.

 

a squeak, a botheration, a scrabble

Other correct terms for a group of rats are: colony, horde and swarm. Personally, I think a mischief of rats describes our pet rats the best. Difficulty: Hard.

 

a tribe, a band, a sneak

The black rat (Rattus rattus) was the host for the flea that carried the plague and wiped out large populations of people in medieval times. What most people don't know is that the rat was as much a victim of the plague, if not more, than people. The flea much preferred rats to people and only moved onto people when the rat population diminished. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Brown rat, Kangaroo rat, Gambian rat

A hooded rat is a popular type of pet rat with a stripe of colour running from its head down its back. The stripe can be narrow or wide, depending on the individual rat. It looks like it's wearing a small hoodie with the hood pulled up, which is where the name comes from.

The coloured part usually starts on the head and continues in a line along the spine, while the rest of the body is white. It has no spots, just a clean white coat from neck to tail. These markings can come in lots of colours, such as black, brown, grey and ginger. Breeders often try to keep the stripe clean and straight. You'll often find hooded rats in pet shops because they're common and well-loved.
Difficulty: Hard.

 

Curly coat and curly whiskers , Long, silky coat, Stripes of colour on the head

Rats are intelligent creatures. When food is in the maze, the rat uses its nose to find the food at the end of the maze. Rats are also quicker than you might think, moving up to 7 mph for longer distances and 8 mph when sprinting. Rats typically travel on all four legs. One would wonder if rats would have the manual dexterity in their paws to do the other activities. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

rock, paper, scissors, tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses), computer games

Because of the lack of water in the desert, kangaroo rats get most of their water in the form of moisture in the foods they eat. Difficulty: Hard.

 

10 feet, 35 feet, 2 feet

One of the most noticeable physical differences between male and female rats is that male rats tend to be larger and heavier than females. They have a more muscular build. As they grow, males usually develop broader heads and thicker bodies, giving them a chunkier look overall. Their size makes them feel a bit more solid when handled.

Another clear difference is that male rats have visible testicles, which become quite prominent once they reach maturity. This makes it easy to tell them apart from females, who have a sleeker build and no external genitals. When trying to sex a rat, that's usually the first thing people check. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Brighter fur coloration, Smaller size and more agile , Larger eyes

 

bad luck symbol, messenger of the gods, good eatin'

The generally accepted size is about 2 cubic feet per rat, but bigger is better! Rats need room to play, eat, and have a bathroom corner. Larger cages will also help reduce squabbles between cage mates competing over resources or a favorite spot. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Big enough for the rat to turn around., Big enough to fit their toys. Too large a cage is overwhelming to a rat., Rats don't need cages, just let them run around the house!

Most of the time our pets are happy and will brux occasionally when content. Bruxing helps grind the teeth down so that they are a healthy length. Bruxing does not necessarily mean a rat is happy however, since they will also grind their teeth in frustration or when they are very ill. Difficulty: Hard.

 

content, frustrated, distressed

When the pink eye gene dilutes agouti, you get silverfawn. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Black, White, Blue

Dumbo rats are a type of pet rat that is easy to recognise because of their big, round ears that sit low on the sides of their head. These ears make their face look very cute and give them their name, which comes from the cartoon elephant Dumbo. They come in lots of colours and coat types, just like other fancy rats, and they are usually friendly and curious. They enjoy exploring their surroundings and can even learn to recognise their owners and enjoy being handled.

Compared to regular fancy rats, Dumbo rats are mostly the same in personality, but some people think they are a bit calmer and gentler. Like all pet rats, they need a safe cage, fresh food, clean water, and time to play outside their cage. Overall, Dumbo rats are popular pets because of their cuteness, and they're friendly, and easy to bond with.
Difficulty: Hard.

 

Luggy rat, Big eared rat, Giant ratty

 

cacti, abandoned burrows, seaside

When a rat bruxes it is generally contented and relaxed. It has been likened to a cat's purr. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Scraping, Grinding, Quivering

Rattus norvegicus is the latin name for the common brown rat, otherwise known as the Norway rat (hence the Norvegicus). Difficulty: Hard.

 

Rattus rattus, Tylomys bullaris, Sigmodon arizonae

Baby rats, called pups, are born hairless, blind, and very small. They depend completely on their mother for warmth and food. In the first few days, they mostly sleep and eat, and their skin is pink and delicate. At around a week old, tiny hairs start to grow, and by two weeks, their eyes open and they begin exploring a little.

Pups grow fast and learn from their mother and siblings. They start eating solid food at about three weeks old and can usually leave the nest soon after. Even though they are small and fragile at first, baby rats are curious and active, quickly learning to climb, play, and interact with their family. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Kitten , Cub, Ratling

There are over 50 different species of rats. This does not even include animals that are not true rats but have "rat" in their popular name. Though both rats and mice are smaller rodents, rats tend to be somewhat larger than mice. Difficulty: Hard.

 

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Rats with this body type are called Dumbos, after the Disney elephant. While their prominent ears don't enable them to fly, they certainly make them adorable! Difficulty: Hard.

 

an Elf, a Pinocchio, a Miller

Reddish discharge called porphyrin is sometimes seen around the eyes and nose of a rat when it is ill. It is often mistaken for blood. Porphyrin is a pigmented secretion produced by a gland behind the eye. The pressence of porphyrin may indicate that your rat is stressed, and you should watch your rat closely for any signs of illness. Toxic beddings like cedar and pine can cause the production of excess porphyrin. Difficulty: Hard.

 

erythrocin, blood, pigmentocin

The strain of Mycoplasma that rats carry will not transmit to human beings. Humans have their own strains of myco that can affect respiratory tract, salivary tract and genital tract. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycoplasma hominis

Mycoplasmosis is found in every rat unless it has been specially brought up as a myco-free animal in sterile lab conditions. Mycoplasma is a very primitive bacterium that infects baby rats as they come in contact with their mother's birth canal or as soon as she starts licking them. Myco symptoms usually appear when the rat is stressed and immune system is low. Myco will usually appear in the respiratory tract as wheezing, sneezing and rattling, but less commonly will attack the reproductive system causing sterility. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Pneumonia, Rhinovirus, Asthma

Rats are naturally social animals that do best when they have companions. In the wild, they live in colonies where they interact, play, and groom each other. Keeping a rat alone can lead to loneliness, boredom, and stress, which can affect both their behaviour and overall health.

For this reason, it's recommended to keep rats in pairs or small same-sex groups. Female rats usually get along well in groups, while males may need careful introductions to prevent fighting. Having companions allows rats to communicate, play, and stay active, which keeps them happy and healthy as pets. Difficulty: Hard.

 

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Male rats are known as bucks upon reaching maturity. Unmated females are does. Mated females are dams. Young rats can go by multiple names including kittens and pups. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Both does and dams are before pregnancy, Both does and dams are after pregnancy, Dams are before pregnancy while does are after pregnancy.

The black rat was one of the main rats that helped to spread the fleas around during the bubonic plauge. Difficulty: Hard.

Does are receptive to bucks on average every 5 to 6 days, and this can often be observed by the vibration of the doe's ears and hunch-backed stance when her hindquarters are approached. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Once a month, Every 2 - 3 days, Every 8 - 10 days

The traditional Japanese belief is that the rat is a messenger of the gods. It is considered unlucky to be born in the year of the rat. Difficulty: Hard.

 

4, 7, 12

We would call the dominant rat the 'Alpha' rat. The Alpha rat can be male or female (female and male rats are generally kept in separate cages). Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Fat rat, Rat A, Proto-rat

Wild rats from London were domesticated around 200 years ago in the early 1800s by 'Rat Catchers' who started breeding them. The first colour variation produced was albino. Difficulty: Hard.

 

about 100 years ago, about 50 years ago, about 25 years ago

Cedar is the most dangerous of woods and shouldn't be used as bedding at all. Pine is less so, but still should be avoided. The more odour the shavings emit, the stronger the concentration of phenols. Difficulty: Average.

 

Hormones, Pesticides, Fungus

The capped rat is known for its striking coat pattern. It has a solid patch of colour on its head, like it's wearing a little helmet or cap, and the rest of its body is usually pure white. The cap is usually black, brown, or another solid shade depending on the rat's genetics. The coloured part covers the top of the head and sometimes the ears, but it doesn't extend down the back or sides. This clean contrast makes capped rats stand out, and they're often bred for their neat markings.

These rats are part of the 'marked' group, which includes other patterns like hooded or Berkshire. The capped look comes from specific genes that control where the colour shows up, and breeders try to keep the markings tidy and symmetrical. Aside from their looks, capped rats are just as friendly and curious as any other pet rat. They're popular in shows and with owners who like its cap. Difficulty: Hard.

 

hooded, black and white, black fawn

That's a lot faster than in humans. Difficulty: Hard.

 

720-1000, 100-440, 580-990

Phenols (also called aromatic hydrocarbons) give pine and cedar their pleasant scent. However, these phenols are absorbed by a rat's respiratory lining and enter the blood. The toxins damage the respiratory tract, and also cause liver enzyme elevation. Exposure to toxins is a stress on the body can despress the immune system. Safe beddings include paper-based bedding, and bedding made from hardwood like aspen and maple. Difficulty: Hard.

 

lignin, tanins, preservatives

S. aureus is a bacteria occurring naturally on the skin and can enter the foot via small scratches causing the condition known as Bumblefoot. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus intermedius

Unfortunately the short length of life is one of the down sides of owning a pet rat. Although 2 - 3 years is the average, some rats have been known to live to 4 or even 5 years. Difficulty: Hard.

 

1 - 2, 4 - 5, 10 - 12

The best cage for pet rats is a big wire one with several levels, solid floors, and narrow gaps between the bars. Rats love to climb and explore, so ramps, platforms, and hammocks are ideal. Avoid cages with wire flooring, as it can hurt their feet. Flat plastic or metal trays are much safer. Good airflow is important, but make sure the cage isn't in a draught or direct sunlight. Fill the cage with tunnels, ropes, and hideouts to keep your rats busy and happy.

Glass tanks aren't suitable, as they don't let air flow properly and don't offer climbing space. Small cages made for hamsters or mice are far too cramped.

Difficulty: Average.

 

A wooden hutch with wire mesh flooring and open sides , A small plastic hamster cage , A glass aquarium with a mesh lid for ventilation

Although rats CAN eat just about anything, there are many foods that are damaging to their health. Raw sweet potato contains cyanide-forming compounds. Orange juice contains d-limonene which can cause kidney cancer in male rats. Avocado is high in fat, but can be a wonderful addition to a rat's diet, however the pit, rind, skin and leaves of avocados are toxic. The part of the fruit in contact with the pit has a higher concentration of toxins.

This information, as well as a full list of forbidden foods for rats can be found here: http://www.petratscanada.com/forbidden_foods.htm Difficulty: Hard.

 

Yes, raw mushrooms, peas, and carrots, to name a few., No, rats can eat anything and be just fine., Yes, rats hate veggies just as much as kids hate them!

Because a rat's tail is bare, it lacks insulation and loses heat. When a rat is hot, more blood flows to the tail to help it lose heat. When a rat is cold, less blood flows to the tail, conserving heat. Difficulty: Hard.

 

nose, tongue, face

It sounds like a hummingbird! Difficulty: Hard.

 

80 - 190, 800 - 900, 20 - 100

Rats are omnivorous. This means they eat both plants and animals. They have a very flexible diet, which allows them to survive in many different environments. They commonly eat grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. They have very strong teeth that can chew through almost anything, even wood or soft metal, which helps them access a wide range of foods. Bananas are one of their favourite fruits. In some parts of the world, they're known as 'almond-eaters' because of their love of these nuts.

In addition to plant-based foods, rats will also eat insects, small animals, eggs, and human food scraps if they find them. Some rats are even known to store food for later, showing a surprising level of planning. This ability to eat a wide variety of foods makes them highly adaptable and is one reason they can thrive in cities, farms, and the wild. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Insectivores, Carnivores, Herbivores

Lying inland and surrounded mostly by territory inhospitable to rats, Alberta did not have a rat within its borders until 1950. A government control programme involving government workers and the citizens ensued and wiped out all the rats in Alberta. No one may keep a rat as a pet in Alberta, and the only rats you'll find there are used for research. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island