Most people know from early childhood, what does a rat look like
However, there is actually a lot of information, which we have heard about these rodents, do not correspond to reality, and most of the facts we do not know. Example, not everyone knows, how rats can actually look like, as for many the description of a "gray big mouse with a long tail" is more than exhaustive.
External signs of different species of rats
Rats can look very different. First of all, the length of an adult can vary from 8 to 30 see Some can reach and 40-45 cm, but it is rather a rarity, therefore, all these stories about living in the sewer meter copies are not confirmed by any facts. Domestic rodents are usually slightly smaller, than street.
Weight can vary greatly from species to species. It is usually about 50 to 500 p, however, some rodents may exceed these sizes.
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A feature of rats is their "nasty" naked tail, which is not really naked at all. It is covered with very short hair and ring scales. In some species, the tail is covered with thick fur (example, in black-tailed rats). The size of the tail often corresponds to the length of the body or exceeds it. Truth, in nature there are also short-tailed species.
For many people, rat species are a very simple division:
- home;
- street.
In fact, this genus of rodents includes mice 70 varieties.
Popular poison for mice
Rats can look very different. First of all, the length of an adult can vary from 8 to 30 div.
The most common species is the gray rat, for which the definition of "synanthropic" can often be found. This means, that the animal is closely connected with human life, although not applicable to domesticated animals. Synanthropes also include bed bugs, cockroaches and house mice.
Other species of rats can live in non-human areas and, in accordance, found in all corners of the globe.
The most famous species are gray, black, small, long hair, Turkestan and black-tailed or fluffy-tailed rabbit rat.
Decorative rats (video)
Features of an organism and a way of life
Not everyone knows, but rats can climb trees and build nests in abandoned hollows. They have this ability due to the specific structure of their paws, who have very mobile fingers.
The paws of the animal are very strong. Rats are constantly on the move and cover long distances, and if necessary, can run fast, developing speed, exceeding 10 km / h.
The structure of the paws does not limit swimming abilities, although these animals still can not be called lovers of water. However, if necessary, they can swim, and dive, and some even manage to fish.
They often look back, due to their poor eyesight and low viewing angle. This shortcoming is compensated by good hearing and developed sense of smell.
The most famous species are gray, black, small, long hair, Turkestan and black-tailed or fluffy-tailed rabbit rat
Rats are distributed almost all over the world, and the peculiarities of their activities often depend on the surrounding circumstances.
Most members of this genus lead a terrestrial lifestyle or use trees as shelters. Burrows and other natural shelters can be used for nests.
Rats do not have rigid stereotypes of living and can live in groups or live alone. Groups can be formed on a family basis, and territorially. Colonies can number up to several hundred individuals with a rigid hierarchy within. At the head is usually a dominant male and several dominant females.
Effective traps for rats
Gallery: species of rats (25 Photo)
Nutrition and reproduction
Rats are omnivores. Features of the diet due to habitat. Some species have their own preferences in food: some prefer plant foods, others are more likely to eat insects and various small invertebrates.
Rats do not tolerate hunger. Total 4-5 days without food can be fatal. Lack of water affects even worse - everything 2 days without moisture will cost the animal its life. On average, one individual needs about 35 ml of water per day.
Rats are known to be very prolific animals. They reproduce all year round, that is, they do not have a marriage period, although more often they mate in spring and autumn.
The number of cubs varies depending on the species. Gray rats are considered the most prolific, as their offspring can reach 20 rats in one female. Truth, this is rather an exception, and is usually counted up to 10 cubs.
Other species are less fertile and can count in the offspring on average about 3-7 cubs.
Newborn rats are completely defenseless, they are born naked and blind. The fact of widespread cannibalism in these rodents is well known, when a mother eats her newborn children. However, eating rats is not so common, and only dead and non-viable cubs are eaten.
Rats are usually born in a specially equipped nest. Rats are very careful about their offspring, and the female constantly cleans and feeds the rats, providing them with the necessary care.
Rats are like pests
Everyone knows, that rats are animals, which cause considerable damage to man. They destroy food and crops, harm agriculture, often damage electrical networks.
These rodents have long been known as carriers of disease, which are deadly to humans (plague, trichinosis, sentence, typhus).
Which is better rat poison?
Rats do not attack humans for no reason, nevertheless, tens of thousands of people suffer from their bites every year.
The state spends a lot of money to fight rodents. Rats have a high resistance to many drugs, designed to scare or destroy them. These rodents are very resistant to radiation, to high and low temperatures. In addition, they have instinctive caution. So, they feel new smells very well, which makes many poisons against them useless.
Rat Sphinx (video)
Decorative rats
Despite the fact that rats are often disliked and considered unpleasant creatures, they can also be quite cute pets. Currently, ornamental breeds are domesticated gray or black rats.
The behavior of domestic animals differs from that of their wild relatives. They are calmer and more manual, not so timid, friendly to humans and not prone to nightlife.
Decorative breeds live longer, than their wild relatives. Life expectancy can reach 3 years, wild individuals usually live 1 year.
Domestic rats are more productive, what to consider, when you get several individuals of different sexes. If you are not going to breed them, it is better to buy rats of the same sex, as they get along well with each other. This will be the best option, because they are social animals, and living alone in a cage will be stressful for your pet.
But you have to remember, that ornamental rats are also prone to various diseases, therefore, in case of any negative deviations in the behavior or appearance of the pet should show it to a veterinarian.