Rat Knowledge Trivia Quiz

Answer: Black rat

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.

Answer: All of these

Many varieties of pet (or fancy) rats have been developed in the several hundred years they have been domesticated. This makes breeding and showing rats interesting and educational when it comes to determining genetics in parents and offspring.

Answer: False

Pet rats are perhaps one of the least aggressive of all rodent species. Most pet rats will only bite if they are hurt by their handler, but even then many will hold off and just squeak loudly instead.

Answer: Rattus norvegicus

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

Answer: Mycoplasmosis

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.

Answer: True

There are very few non-marsupial native Australian mammals, but rodents are one of these. There are several native Australian rat species, many of which are on the decline in numbers due to habitat loss and predation by cats.

Answer: False

The toxin in chocolate that can kill dogs, theobromine, does not affect rats. This is a commonly held fallacy of many rat owners.

Answer: 2 - 3

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.

Answer: Avocado skin and seed

While the flesh of the avocado is a healthy and nutritious treat occasionally and in sensible quantities, the skin and seed should never be given to your pet rat. These contains toxins that can cause severe illness or even death.

Answer: Scabbers