Pet Rats Trivia Quiz

Answer: a mischief

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.

Answer: True

There are two types of photoreceptors in the retina: rods and cones. The rods are responsible for detecting darkness and lightness, while the cones are responsible for detecting colour. The photoreceptors in a rat's retina are almost all rods (cones make up less than 1 percent.

More recent studies show that rats probably see muted colors more to the ultra-violet end of the spectrum. There is a great website here: http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatVision.htm If you scroll down to the bottom it summarizes the findings and actually shows images of what rats probably see.

Answer: it could be feeling any of these

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.

Answer: five toes on hind feet

Rats don't have gall bladders, thumbs or tonsils.

Answer: porphyrin

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.

Answer: megacolon

Megacolon is a disease most often seen in blazed, bi-colour rats. The nerves and muscles of the colon do not function properly, resulting in the massive enlargement of the colon. Rats afflicted with this disease usually die within the first few weeks of life. Mycoplasmosis is not "inherited," although rats may be born with it- things that are inherited are acquired from a parent's DNA.

Answer: about 200 years ago

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.

Answer: phenols

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.

Answer: tail

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.

Answer: True

The sexes must be separated by 5 weeks to ensure no unwanted pregnancies occur.

Answer: raw sweet potato

To learn more about what foods must be fed with caution, visit the forbidden food section on the Pet Rats Canada website (www.petratscanada.com).

Answer: they can all be toxic

Make sure these plants are out of your rat's reach at Christmas time.

Answer: Mycoplasma pulmonis

Lab rats kept in sterile environments are the only rats that are free of the mycoplasma bacteria.

Answer: vomit

Rats cannot vomit so there is no reason to make them fast before surgery.

Answer: False

Rats are very social animals and benefit greatly by having the company of other rats. Rats kept in groups of 2 or more are more confident and curious and therefore more eager to explore outside of their cage.