·Rats are extremely clean pets and are
among the most intelligent and curious.
Ancient Romans considered the rat good luck, and in China the rat is
considered a sign of prosperity.
Rats, with their long tail, have a very acute sense of balance; therefore,
they are excellent climbers.
Rats can swim and many enjoy it.
Pet rats live an average of two to three years.
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Male rats are known as bucks, females are does, and babies are pups or
kittens.
Rats are very social animals and do best when kept with other rat companions.
The general rule is that male rats are larger with a coarser coat and more
laid-back disposition, than females. Females are typically smaller and more
active and playful.
Pet rats, or fancy rats, have an interesting history. Many breeders believe
that rats were first widely domesticated by the rat-catchers of the 19th
Century. It is believed these people, who were paid by town governments to
trap rats, started breeding rats to keep themselves in business, only then
discovering how intelligent and loyal these pets could be.
Though generally nocturnal, most rats are crepuscular, which means they are
most active for a few hours around dusk and dawn, dividing the rest of the day
between hours of lesser activity and sleeping.
Rats have starred or appeared in over 400 films and close to one hundred
television series.
