The body structure of domesticated rats differs from that of a wild rat as well. The body of a fancy rat is smaller, with larger ears and a longer tail. Domesticated rats have generally smaller and sharper facial features as well. Domesticated rats have a longer lifespan than that of wild rats.
It should be noted that a wild rat will not exhibit the same traits as a fancy rat, and should not be kept in captivity as a pet. Although they may look similar to fancy rats, wild rats will behave differently around people.
The brown rat has grey-brown fur, a pointed nose, large, bare ears and a long, scaly tail. It is much bigger than any mouse species. The similar water vole has a much rounder face, small ears that do not protrude, and a furry tail.
Please don't try to look after them yourself - wild rodents have very different needs to pet rats and mice, and they need specialist care to give them the best chance of release back into the wild.
Rats and mice are known to carry many diseases. These diseases can spread to people directly, through handling of rodents; contact with rodent feces (poop), urine, or saliva (such as through breathing in air or eating food that is contaminated with rodent waste); or rodent bites.
Wild rats typically live less than a year, while fancy rats have the comfort of human care and can live as long as two or three years. Fancy rats are also typically smaller and more delicate-looking than their wild cousins, with sharper facial features, larger ears, and a longer tail.
Rats are actually scared of humans. They will do anything in their power to avoid being around a living being larger than them. However, if a rat feels cornered, it may attack in an attempt to protect itself.
Public health concerns
Some of the diseases that can be spread from rats to people are bubonic and pneumonic plague, murine typhus, salmonella, leptospirosis, Hantavirus, and tularemia.
Rats exhibit aggressive behavior when threatened. They may fight, chase, bite and box. Rats also display some behaviors such as sidling and belly-up defensive postures. Rats dwell in cities, suburbs and rural areas.
Many believe Dumbo rats to be friendlier than other types of rats. (Dumbo rats' ears are on the sides of their head rather than on top—similar to Walt Disney's “Dumbo the Elephant”.) Burmese are also often considered to be very friendly. I once had Dumbo Burmese rats who were exceptionally warm and loving.
Best Type of Domestic Pet Rat. The species of rat available in the pet and laboratory trade is Rattus norvegicus domesticus, domesticated from the Norway rat. Rats are characterized by their long bodies, short fur, small eyes and ears, and long hairless tails.
Average Rat Lifespan and Aging
A pet rat's life expectancy is much better than their wild counterparts, though, who typically live less than a year. Wild rats are subject to predation, disease, and lack of adequate food, water, and veterinary care—all resulting in a shortened life.
Rats that are kept healthy as a family pet can live up to 4 years. Rats in the wild only live 1-2 years – sometimes less.
Rats cannot live without food, water, or shelter. You can get rid of rats by following these simple steps.
There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella.
This is because wild rats have to find food from wherever they can, which often leads to the idea they are vermin. Out in the wild, they tend to avoid humans as they are not useful to them. As pets, they want to interact with humans.
People get HPS when they breath in hantaviruses. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Rats are afraid of human activity, mostly because humans are so much larger than they are. Rats also fear predators such as hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Other animals that rats are afraid of include your cat as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents. Rats fear becoming a meal for a snake.
Peppermint oil is an effective method for keeping mice and rats away. These rodents cannot stand this oil's robust and minty smell, so a few drops around your home can go a long way in keeping them away.
Peppermint Oil
On a cotton ball use no more than 5 drops of 100% peppermint essential oil. Spread the oil on areas that you want rats to avoid, in your case, around the garden.
Wild rats carry parasites and diseases that can be passed on to pet rats. They may also carry genetic mutations that may be passed on to the offspring of a domestic rat through breeding with their domesticated counterpart. Because of these things, it is not advisable to breed a domesticated and wild rat.
Rats are highly intelligent
Rats are an excellent choice. Did you know that, along with chimpanzees, bottlenose dolphins, elephants, dogs, pigs, pigeons and octopuses, rats are considered by experts to be one of the smartest species on the planet?