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  Common Name(s): Domestic Rat, Brown Rat   PET RAT    
 
Latin Name: Rattus norvegicus
 
Description: Various colours and sizes, long course tails, pointed snouts, short legs, sharp teeth and very agile and intelligent
 
Range: Originally native to east Asia. Now distributed world-wide
 
Habitat: Highly adaptable and found in a wide variety of habitats, typically near human habituation
 
Diet: Omnivores. Diet consists of meat, vegetables, nuts and fruits
 
Care in Captivity: A large, spacious cage with several levels is ideal. Provide adequate bedding such as aspen and other recycled paper products. Offer a hiding place for nest building. Rats are intelligent, curious animals, so the provision of toys and other items so the rats can explore and play will prevent boredom. Rats are social animals so housing a rat singly may cause stress. Groups of two or more will be sufficient. Feed commercially available rat food combined with ‘treats’ such as carrots, apple, whole grain cereal, blueberries, bananas and low protein dog biscuits. Avoid sugary snacks, cheese and dairy products and too much meat. Fresh water must be provided daily.
 
Fact: Rats are very communicative with each other, but this ‘talk’ is inaudible to humans as it is ‘spoken’ in ultrasound