The species named as a pet and as food for snakes or other reptiles is Rattus norvegicus. White laboratory rats are very common. But manufacturers have developed color variations of these rats. Black or brown specimens, black with a white belly and other colors and spots on the body, are also often found. These are simple animals, it is very easy to look after them. Like doing rat tests.
Form support
Smart and gentle animals quickly get used to the owner and rarely bite. Red-eyed white rats seem calmer than color specimens, which can be more aggressive and more active. In principle, these are nocturnal animals, but can also stay awake during the day. Due to their appetite and the fact that they eat almost everything, rodents quickly become fat. Therefore, they need daily exercises to be in shape. But what is the difference between a mouse and a rat? The mouse is small in size, not so muscular and strong. Laboratory rats are rodents characterized by an elongated body, short fur, eyelids and small ears, as well as a not very long but thick fur. In addition, they do not have hair on their ears. They have rather poor eyesight, so their orientation is largely based on smell and hearing. This is the difference between a mouse and a rat.
The average life expectancy of rats is 2-4 years, depending on the care, but they can live longer. Females usually reach a weight of 250-300 g, and males - 450-520 g. Rats have a body temperature of 37.5-38 Β° C, breathing speed is 70-115 beats per minute, their heart beats 240-450 times per minute. Rat tooth formula: I = 1/1, C = 0/0, M = 3/3. As you can see, rats have no fangs, only incisors and molars. Cutters grow all their lives, they are constantly used in hard foods (seeds or others). If necessary, rats gnaw the wood to sharpen the incisors.
Nutrition and water availability
Rats are omnivores, eat almost everything. Commercially available rodent food pellets provide a complete range of vitamins. It may look like dry food (granules) for dogs and cats, but more often small amounts of fruits and vegetables are added to the diet. There are various seed and grain mixtures on the market specifically designed for rodents. A diet based on whole grains and sunflower seeds can lead to an obese rodent, this food is only offered as an occasional snack. Adults should consume daily about 5-10 g of granules or other food per 100 g of body weight. Fresh water should be available at all times. Rats need about 10 ml of water per day per 100 g of body weight. If their diet contains too many soft foods, it is preferable that there are always twigs of wood, wax, cherries in their cage for grinding the incisors.
Families and Pregnancy
Rats reach puberty in the period 42-65 days. In males, the scrotum is clearly visible, which makes them easily distinguishable from females. In addition, the distance between the genitals and anus is about two times higher in males than in females, which helps determine their gender when they are still very small. Females also have large swollen nipples. Families may include more than one female with a male. But they never keep two or more males with females who will constantly fight. Instead, you can keep several males together if there is a female. But in this case, sometimes tumors develop closer to aging.
Rules for buying the right cell
Pregnancy lasts from 21 to 23 days, 6-20 cubs weighing 6-13 grams are born. After about a week, the newborn has fur. Eyes open before two weeks of age. Weaned babies from females 21-42 days after birth. Female laboratory rats become sexually active immediately after birth.
The rat cage must be resistant to abrasion, otherwise they will run away. Typically, rodent cages are made of hard plastic or metal. Very often there are cells with a plastic bottom and the upper part of a metal lattice (like a box). For 2-3 rats, the cage should be approximately 60 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm in size. Sawdust is usually placed at the bottom of the cage with a layer of 2-3 cm. The chips should be changed 1-2 times a week as necessary. This provides urine absorption and warm shelter for future offspring. Suitable rat temperature is between 18 Β° C and 26 Β° C. Ideal air humidity should be 40-70%, but other values ββare supported. Toys, trainers and wheels, tunnels and other devices help keep fit such a little animal as a white laboratory rat.
Experiments and research
White rats have long been used in various laboratories. These clever rodents are used by scientists in experiments. They test new drugs, test innovative treatment methods. By the way, many psychoanalysts also use these animals for their experiments. For example, to learn their hierarchy and behavior in a group. This helps to understand how people will behave in similar situations.
One of the most interesting experiments was carried out in the last century. Six white rats were planted in a large cage. A few weeks later, scientists realized that according to the hierarchy they are divided into two manipulators and two workers subordinate to the first group. Another one became self-sufficient, and the latter simply ate for the rest of the food for everyone. If six animals from one fraction, for example, manipulators, are thrown into a single cage, then after a few weeks they will be divided into the same groups as in the first experiment.