The mouse family includes 1,700 species of rodents. Statistics show that for every person on our planet there are 2 rats. These animals, which appeared on Earth much earlier than humans, are among the most common today.
You need to know everything about rats, because the animals pose a serious danger: they eat useful crops in the fields, ruin food supplies, and carry dangerous infections.
Sometimes rodents attack humans, damaging tissues, infecting them with serious diseases, and provoking the development of psychological problems.
a brief description of
Rats belong to the class mammals, order rodents, family mice. The animals have a sharp, elongated muzzle, and small ears and eyes. In most varieties, the tail is almost bare, covered with sparse vegetation and scales; in black rats, it is covered with thick hair. The length of the tail can be equal to or greater than the body size. There are also short-tailed rodents.
The fur covering the body of the animals is dense, rather thick, and the guard hairs are pronounced. The breed of rats is determined, among other things, by color. The color can be gray-brown, gray, sometimes yellow, orange, and reddish tones are found.
The animals are hardy and active, run fast, and in case of danger they are able to reach speeds of up to 10 km/h, jumping over obstacles no more than 1 meter high. Every day they are able to overcome 8 – 17 km. Rats are excellent swimmers, dives, and catch small fish. Rodents can spend three days in water without harm to health.
Mammals' vision is not very clear and is characterized by a small viewing angle of 16 degrees. Rats are forced to constantly turn their heads to examine their surroundings. They see the world in shades of gray.
Animals inhabit self-made holes, hollows, other people's nests, as well as artificially made premises. They live alone, in medium or large groups. Rodents are omnivores, but each species has its own taste preferences. Some breeds love shellfish and insects more, others love fruits, vegetables, and seeds.
Females bear offspring throughout the year. Populations living in northern regions do not reproduce in cold weather. One litter can consist of 2 – 22 cubs.
Each of us knows what rats look like, but the appearance of these animals can change depending on the breed, while the characteristic features remain unchanged.
Capable of mutual assistance
There is an opinion that in nature, everyone is for himself, the fittest survive, etc. All this is a big simplification. And rats are proof of this.
Neuroscientist Peggy Mason from the University of Chicago was surprised to discover that rats help each other if one of them is in trouble. What underlay his conclusions is unclear, but he came to the conclusion that rats have empathy for each other.
Other scientists were also convinced that mutual aid is practiced in a rat society. They report: rats have nurseries for babies and a kind of “nursing home” - providing food for old blind animals. It was even noted that in case of danger, old rats are escorted to a secluded place.
However, with all this, rats can devour a sick relative without a twinge of conscience. Yes, rats are cannibals. The villainous mother also does not hesitate to eat her weak and sick children. But she is caring towards others and keeps the nest clean.
Rat. visualhunt.com Rat. visualhunt.com Rat. visualhunt.com
Lifespan of a rodent
The lifespan of a rat largely depends on the type of animal, the quality of food and the habitat. On average they live from 1 to 3 years.
In wild nature
Gray rats or pasyuks are widespread on all continents except Antarctica. They owe their active settlement to the first sea voyages.
The rodent's body is covered with dense gray fur. The animal is distinguished by powerful hind legs, strong teeth, and high intelligence. The length of the body does not exceed 25 cm, body weight - no more than 400 g .
First of all, you need to figure out where wild rats live. In nature, pasyuki live alone or in groups, settling closer to water bodies. Most animals prefer to live near human habitation, where warmth and food are always available.
Let's find out how long wild rats live. Rodents that feed in garbage dumps and basements often live for a year or a year and a half. In some cases, they manage to live up to 3 years.
At home
Increasingly, instead of cats and dogs, rats live next to people; they are very smart, attractive, and easy to train. Thanks to crossing, scientists were able to develop many decorative breeds: dumbo, rex, sphinx, and tailless.
How many years domestic rats can live depends entirely on the care of the owner. The average life expectancy is 2 – 3 years, sometimes up to 5 years.
To prolong the life of pets, it is necessary to provide them with optimal living conditions and healthy nutrition. Thus, animals are able to continuously absorb food if there are no restrictions. As a result, rodents get fat, which provokes the development of many pathologies.
How many live in the wild?
Wild rodents, unlike laboratory ones, are very hardy, smart, easily adapt to new living conditions, and tolerate temperature changes. They can swim and, if necessary, stay in the water for a long time. They reproduce quickly and take care of their offspring.
Due to the fact that they are omnivores and often eat in garbage dumps, they often suffer from intestinal diseases and experience poisoning. In addition, they live in sewers and basements, where sanitary standards are out of the question, which is why skin diseases are common.
Of course, such difficult living conditions are reflected in life expectancy. Often, young representatives suffer, whose body is not yet strong and cannot cope with all the threats. Most often, wild street rats live no more than 1-1.5 years, very rarely they can reach the age of 2-3 years.
Types of rats
There are 3 wild species of rats living in our country: black, gray and Turkestan. Many species are common in certain regions: America, Asia, Australia.
Himalayan rats are found in Vietnam, arboreal rats in North America, and palm rats in the Pacific Islands. Let's look at what types of rats are common on Earth.
Gray rat
Lives in North America and Europe. In the wild, animals settle close to water and feed on eggs, young birds, and carrion.
In towns and villages, rodents get closer to buildings with farm animals, where there is a lot of food. In the city, rats are found in basements, outbuildings, and garbage dumps.
The body length of representatives of this species reaches 20 cm, the hair is hard and tough. The color varies from dark gray to reddish, and there is a brown tint. The wide muzzle has a blunt shape, with pointed pink ears, black eyes, and a light mustache.
The active spread of pasyuk across our planet is associated with their high fertility. In a year, females are able to breed up to 8 generations of animals, bringing up to 20 cubs in each litter.
Black rat
It is found in the same areas as the previous variety. He prefers to live in megacities, settling in the attics of private houses and the upper floors of high-rise buildings. Thanks to this feature, the animals received the nickname “roofing animals”.
In the wild, they live in burrows dug by other animals, or build their own nests in trees from branches and grasses.
Mammals prefer plant foods: nuts, seeds, grains. In terms of body size, black rats are smaller than pasyuks. The maximum dimensions are 20 cm in length, the tail usually exceeds these parameters. The coat color can be black, ash or brown.
Turkestan rat
Inhabits Asian states: India, Uzbekistan. It has become widespread in the Tien Shan mountains, where it occupies tree hollows and abandoned burrows. If there is human habitation nearby, the rodent will definitely find shelter in outbuildings or a house.
The size of the animal’s body is from 17 to 21 cm, its color is reddish-brown, and the fur on its belly is white or yellowish. They feed on fruits and small animals.
Black-tailed rat
Compared to other species, these rodents have fur on their tails. They live in New Guinea and Australia, preferably near bodies of water, where they feed on food washed ashore. Nests are built in hollows or between tree branches. The offspring are born with fur, so they mature and become independent quickly.
Wood rats
Distributed in Asian countries and the Pacific Islands. These are small rats, body length is 15 cm, weight - no more than 80 g.
The fur on the back is brown, on the belly it is light. The muzzle is sharp, the tail is covered with scales. The animals reproduce throughout the year and consume plant and animal food.
How often should deratization be carried out?
Deratization should be carried out as needed, that is, at the first, even indirect, signs of the appearance of rats in the room. Evidence of rodents visiting the site can be their excrement, teeth marks on various surfaces, scattered food, bits of food and other evidence left by the “raiders” at the crime scene. However, according to the law of the Russian Federation, there are a number of social facilities where it is necessary to carry out rat control once a month for preventive purposes in order to eliminate the possibility of rats appearing. Proactive action should be taken in all facilities where food is stored, processed, packaged or prepared. Such objects include:
- Public catering points;
- Enterprises producing or processing products;
- Kindergartens;
- Schools;
- Sanatoriums and holiday homes;
- Hospitals;
- Nursing home;
- Terminals and storage;
- And other similar objects;
Rodent anatomy
The animals have a stocky build and an oval body shape. The size of an adult individual can be 8–30 cm in length. Body weight is 37–420 g. Some individuals weigh more than 500 g.
Many people wonder how many fingers rats have. The animals' front paws resemble human hands, but each has 4 fingers. The fifth (large) has a reduced shape, looks like a short stump with a blunt end. There are 5 toes on the hind legs.
How many teeth do rats have? There are a total of 4 incisors and 12 molars. The former are constantly growing, so animals have to regularly grind them down on various objects and materials.
If the rodent does not do this, the incisors will soon grow, preventing the mouth from closing normally. This causes severe discomfort, so when keeping pets at home, it is necessary to give wooden blocks and branches to your pets. Then the animal will be healthy and calm.
The structure of the rat has its own distinctive features:
- normal body temperature: +37.5ºС - +38.3ºС;
- heart rate per minute: 300 – 500;
- number of breaths per minute: 85 – 100;
- with a weight of 400 g, the animal’s brain is 2 g;
- puberty occurs after 8 weeks of age;
- pregnancy lasts up to 24 days.
Physiology is designed so that rats can survive in a variety of conditions:
- eyes. They allow you to see well around you, but not those objects that are very close. Animals have difficulty viewing stationary objects.
- Ears. Rodents have excellent hearing. The ears can move in different directions, independently of each other.
- Nose. Compared to humans, rats perceive a wider range of aromas. This allows her to identify strangers by smell and recognize the marks of other animals.
- Taste buds. They detect the quality of food even if there is a subtle aftertaste.
- Vibrissae. Helps with orientation in the dark.
The animals have a well-developed sense of heights, so they can calmly rest even on tight ropes.
How to distinguish old animals from young individuals?
Pet rats can live up to 3 years, but for most of that time they do not change their appearance.
This is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to buy an adult rat, but instead look for young rats that are approximately 6 weeks old. Not only is an adult rat more difficult to socialize, but they may not live long, which can be heartbreaking, especially if this is your first pet rat. Typically, the following factors indicate the age of an animal:
Rat teeth color
When a rat's teeth appear, they have a yellow tint. However, over time they become a little darker and the teeth turn orange in old age.
However, it is possible that you have found a rat with natural orange teeth rather than a rat whose life is coming to an end. But think twice before picking up a rat with orange teeth, as it may leave you too soon.
A rat's diet and general health can also affect the coloration of its teeth, and even a young rat may have orange teeth under certain circumstances.
Rat fur quality
Rats are quite finicky animals; they like to be clean and well-groomed. This means that you can often tell how old a rat is by the condition of its fur.
If it has a smooth, silky coat that looks shiny and beautiful and is mostly even in length, the rat is probably less than 6 months old (or possibly 9 months old for females).
As rats mature, they go through the equivalent of puberty. Their fur becomes coarser and less silky, and this occurs more dramatically in male rats than in female rats. In old rats, that is, older than 18 months, the fur may be coarse or absent.
If a rat has orange teeth and its fur is in poor condition, it can be assumed that the animal is at retirement age.
Why are rats dangerous?
Rodents that live near humans not only damage property and eat food supplies, but also spread more than 80 dangerous diseases. They are found in places where there is unsanitary conditions: abandoned buildings, landfills, basements. The animals are not susceptible to human diseases; they transmit infections through contact, bites, droppings or exhaled air.
Regardless of the breed, all these mammals pose a danger to humans, since they carry a large number of fungi, pathogenic microbes, and bacteria every day.
The most common diseases include:
- plague;
- fever;
- typhus; encephalitis;
- giardiasis;
- rabies;
- tuberculosis;
- toxoplasmosis;
- hepatitis;
- viruses, fungi, parasitic pathologies.
Animal excrement contains substances that cause allergies, lead to the development of asthma and exacerbation of the symptoms of atomic dermatitis.
Why is the Rat dangerous and how to fight it?
Keeping a pet
Domestic rats have strong immunity and stamina, but this should not be abused. In order for your pet to be healthy and live a long time, you need to carefully care for it.
Purity
The key to good rodent health is cleanliness . You need to wash the cage daily. The tray must be rinsed and treated with products without an aggressive odor. Remember that rodents have a very keen sense of smell, so “fragrant” cleaning chemicals can harm your pet.
In addition to washing the tray, the cage itself must be cleaned. Once a week, thoroughly wash the rods, houses and all equipment in the rodent’s home. Old food supplies should be thrown away so that microbes do not multiply in them. If your pet is very zealous in collecting provisions, then the entire collected set can be replaced with a piece of carrot. No matter how smart the rat is, it has not yet learned to count.
In addition to cleaning the room , it is recommended to occasionally bathe the rat . Rodents are not afraid of water, so there will be no problems with the procedure. Fill the bath with just enough warm water to touch the tummy of the rat standing in it. Let your pet swim, then pat the fur dry with a towel.
Females should be bathed once a month, while males should be bathed more frequently, once every two weeks.
From the video you will learn how to properly care for your tailed friend.
Feeding
The lifespan of a rodent is also affected by the quality of its diet . Only natural products are suitable for feeding your pet. Rats are omnivores by nature, however, if you want to prolong the life of the animal, then you should not indulge its weaknesses.
Rats have a big sweet tooth. They love everything sweet, sticky, delicious-smelling and even salty. If a mouse has once tasted a candy, then, hearing the familiar rustle of the wrapper, it will turn the cage upside down until you give it the sweetness. To avoid such begging, do not give your rat junk food, even as an experiment.
She should be fed natural food high in carbohydrates. Grain is optimal for this purpose. In addition to being saturated with carbohydrates, the rat will be able to wear down its teeth on the grains, which, by the way, grow throughout its life.
In addition to grain, they can be given:
- boiled vegetables, fruits and other plant foods. Over time, each pet develops personal preferences;
- crackers, unsweetened crackers;
- vitamins and minerals from the pharmacy;
- dairy products;
- boiled meat and poultry.
Do not allow your pet to eat food uncontrollably. The daily norm for an adult rodent is 40 g of food. Physical activity in the form of running and walking is required.
Harmful products should be excluded:
- food with seasonings, as well as salty, spicy and fatty foods;
- sweet products, desserts. Chocolate is especially harmful to rats;
- oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits;
- raw potatoes, carrots and other vegetables;
- raw meat and fish;
- grass growing outside.
Arrangement of the house
The moral well-being of a pet plays an important role in its life expectancy. The pet should be warm, cozy and fun .
It is important to choose a cage in which the rodent will be comfortable. The gap between the twigs should not exceed 1 cm. Remember that if the rat was able to stick its head into the hole, then all of it will fit into it. And he will run away.
Rats love to climb various ladders and shelves. You can purchase a ready-made “cottage”, or equip it at your own discretion. The main thing is to ensure that the materials used to create “furniture” are non-toxic.
Arrangement rules:
- exercise equipment must be securely fastened;
- the tray should be deep so that the animal does not come into contact with its own feces;
- a drinking bowl with clean water is required;
- the bedding can be made of sawdust or paper (without printing ink!);
- a house where the rat can retire: a box, a pot, etc.;
- Animals have their own ideas about cleanliness, so the owner must do the cleaning.
Rats are wonderful pets that are great for both adults and children. In order for the pet to please the owner longer, the rodent’s life needs to be arranged in accordance with all the rules.
Interesting Facts
Rats are world-famous travelers. Merchant ships have long been their favorite transport. A few centuries ago, black rodents chose these floating homes for themselves, which was the reason for the spread of rats throughout the world.
It was the holds of ships that were ideal for the animals and satisfied their basic needs:
- Closeness to the person.
- Large food supplies.
- Sufficient amount of water.
- The ability to hide easily and reliably.
During the Middle Ages, black rodents arrived on ships from the Middle Eastern territories, Asia and filled all of Europe. For many years, these pests were a nightmare for residents of cities and villages in Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland, until they were replaced by gray pasyuki.
They settled in barns and destroyed huge reserves of grain.
To what age do they grow?
Rats grow and develop quickly. This process is most active from birth to 6 months:
- On the 3-4th day the ears open.
- Teeth begin to erupt at 9-10 days.
- After 2 weeks, the eyes open.
- By day 16, the fur already completely covers the body.
- Molars erupt at 35-40 days.
- At 3 weeks of age, the pups are already eating from the feeder.
- On day 25, the young are separated from their mother.
Further, the growth of the baby rats does not stop, but becomes less noticeable. By the age of one year, animals become fully formed. During this period, their weight is 300-600 g: females grow half as much as males.
Adult
Population decline[edit]
Populations of Rattus rattus
were common in Britain but began to decline after the introduction of brown rats in the 18th century.
Populations of R. rattus
remained common in seaports and major cities until the late 19th century, but were reduced due to rodent control and sanitation measures.
The Shiant Islands in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland are often cited as the last remaining wild population of R. rattus
left in Britain, but evidence suggests that populations other than the Shiant Islands survive on other islands and in localized areas of the British mainland. [37] The latest data from the National Biodiversity Network shows populations across the UK, particularly in ports and harbor towns. [38] This is supported by anecdotal accounts from London and Liverpool.
The Shiant Islands restoration project (a joint initiative between the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage) began in winter 2015 to eradicate populations of Rattus rattus
on islands. [37]
Habitat
Thanks to their rare ability to quickly adapt to external changes, black rats can thrive in both natural and man-made areas. In addition to nests in trees, animals build dwellings among stones, in empty recesses under the foundations of houses, under monuments or fountains, in attics, and food warehouses.
Important! Large black rats cannot be found in nature in the regions of central Russia. Their love for warmth and a great desire for affordable food encourage animals to settle closer to humans.
The natural habitats of black rodents are tropical and subtropical zones. In warm climates, rats gravitate more towards natural biotopes and move away from human settlements. This distinguishes them from gray domestic rats, which are more strongly attached to people.
The family of black rodents is divided into several subspecies: Asian, Oceanian, Mauritian, Ceylon. Individuals of black rats differ little in appearance, but have territorial preferences for settlement.
The most common are Asian rodents: they can be found in almost every corner of the globe. This cannot be said about the Ceylonese representatives of the species, which prefer the island of Sri Lanka.
Diet
A black rat can hardly be called a predator. The animal mainly feeds on food of plant origin:
- grain;
- seeds;
- vegetables;
- fruits.
The proportion of protein in a rodent's diet is very small. Only occasionally does the rat diet include:
- beetles;
- worms;
- bird eggs.
The animal is not known for its gluttony - during the day it consumes:
- 15 g food;
- 15 ml water.
But starvation is practically unacceptable for a rat. The animal can live without food for a maximum of 2 weeks, and without water (or if there is a lack of it) - only a week.
Ways to fight
You can fight rat infestations using various methods. Garden trees should be wrapped with belts and lubricated with glue or resin. Traps and traps can be installed on the site. You can also set traps inside the house and place various poisoned baits. To scare away animals, you can use both special devices and strong-smelling herbs. In the event of a mass raid, infection of the premises, etc., you should immediately call specialists.
Sources
- https://fishki.net/3186865-chernaja-krysa-i-interesnye-fakty-o-nej.html
- https://homjakam.ru/krysa/raznovidnosti/chernye-krysy
- https://notklop.ru/krysy/vidy-krys/chernye-krysy/
- https://apest.ru/krysy/vidy-krys/chernye-krysy/
- https://animals-wild.ru/mlekopitayushhie-zhivotnye/1247-chernaya-krysa.html
- https://litbro.ru/gryzuny/krysa/kak-uhazhivat-za-chernoj-krysoj
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Breeding
For breeding, breeders recommend using only the brightest representatives of this breed, who will be able to pass on hereditary characteristics to their offspring. Puberty in rats occurs at the age of 7 months. The gestation period does not exceed 1 month. The number of rat pups in one litter reaches 15. The female does not need outside help during childbirth.
Newborn animals are completely naked, blind and helpless.
The main task of the owners is to maintain cleanliness in the cage and balanced feeding of the female. The babies quickly gain weight and become covered with fur, and after 10 days the pups can see and hear well. After 21 days, the offspring can be transferred to dry food, and at the age of 45 days, the babies are sent to other families.
Why do animals suddenly die?
The life of a free-ranging domestic animal is dangerous. The house is full of inedible detergents and cleaning products, and current flows through the wires: you must understand that the rat will definitely try everything that is in its field of vision. Apartment owners do not always look at their feet and tend to move heavy furniture into places where a curious animal has accidentally wandered. An unsuccessful fall after climbing curtains or a careless exit onto the balcony can result in a fatal outcome.
Terriers, dachshunds and cats with a strong hunting instinct pose a mortal threat to a tame rodent. Through an open door, a pampered pet can get out into the street, where it has no chance of survival. All these troubles can be avoided if you keep the animal in a cage and walk it under supervision in a fenced-off area.
Particularly anxious pets can die of a heart attack if they are frightened by something.
Harm to humans
Black and gray rats are equally dangerous to humans. Rodents spread terrible diseases, carry pathogens, worm eggs, and fleas. In the previous century, the black rat was the main carrier of plague.
They spoil and destroy food supplies. They get into warehouses, barns, storage rooms, cellars. In the spring, an invasion of black rats is dangerous due to gnawing on the bark of young trees and the death of plants. In the fall, the harvest is spoiled.
In the house, pests gnaw on walls, furniture, decorative items, and wall insulation. Rodents even grind what is of no nutritional value to them in order to stop the growth of teeth.
Location
Where the black rat lives is a very interesting question. The favorite habitat for the rodent is sea vessels. Rats live side by side with humans and eat identical food. They spread around the globe thanks to water transport.
The black rat is less inventive than its relative the Pasyuk. Content with little. Settles near reservoirs and rivers. But it is less attached to water than the gray one. Does not build nests in the ground, avoids water, but if necessary, swims quite a long distance. It does not dive because fish, fry, and amphibians are of little interest to it.
Willingly settles in the forest, fields, and edges. The lifestyle is more reminiscent of voles. In urban areas, it prefers sewers, abandoned buildings, garages, garbage cans, and entrances. Can live in a person’s house, occupying the upper floors or attic.
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Origin[edit]
Remains of black rat bones dating from the Norman period have been discovered in Britain. The black rat lived in prehistoric Europe and the Levant during post-glacial periods. [9] The specific origin of the black rat is unclear due to its disappearance and reappearance. Evidence such as DNA and bone fragments also indicate that it did not originate in Europe, but migrated from Southeast Asia, possibly Malaysia. It probably spread throughout Europe after the Roman conquest. Speciation may have occurred during the colonization of southwestern India, which was the main country from which the Romans obtained their spices. Since the black rat is a passive traveler, it could easily have entered Europe during trade between Rome and the countries of Southwest Asia. The black rat of the Mediterranean region is genetically different from its Southeast Asian ancestor, having 38 chromosomes instead of 42. It is a persistent carrier of many diseases due to its ability to harbor so many infectious bacteria in the blood. It played a major role in spreading bacteria contained in fleas throughout his body, such as the plague bacterium ( Yersinia pestis
), responsible for the Plague of Justinian and the Black Death.[10]
A study published in 2015 suggests that other Asian rodents served as plague reservoirs, from which infections spread west to Europe through trade routes, both land and sea. Although the black rat was certainly a carrier of the plague in European ports, the spread of the plague beyond areas colonized by the rats suggests that the plague was also spread by humans after it reached Europe. [eleven]
Features of reproduction
In terms of fertility, dark rodents are inferior to pasyuki. A black domestic rat can bear up to 5 litters per year, while a wild animal can bear only 3 litters. To become pregnant, a female mates with several males. A fertilized animal bears babies for about 4 weeks. One rat litter can consist of 3-11 rat pups. In black rodents, cases of cannibalism occur much less frequently than in pasyuks. Females do not eat their babies (exceptions are extremely rare). But males still pose a danger to the offspring, so mothers do not allow them near the cubs.
