List of articles № 101
What Does a Rat Snap Trap Look Like?
Rat snap traps rely on a combination of sturdy and lightweight materials to ensure rapid killing action and long‑term durability. The primary component is tempered steel, formed into the spring bar and trigger mechanism. Steel provides the tensile strength needed for the sudden release of energy and resists deformation after repeated use.. Date latest changes:
Water‑Dwelling Rat: Name and Habitat
The semi‑aquatic rodent commonly referred to as the water‑dwelling rat is known by several vernacular names that vary across regions and languages. These names reflect local ecological knowledge and historical usage, facilitating communication among researchers, wildlife managers, and the public.. Date latest changes:
How to Trim Rats' Nails Without Stress
Maintaining healthy paws is essential for a rat’s mobility, comfort, and overall well‑being. Overgrown nails can alter gait, cause pressure on joints, and lead to painful injuries that interfere with normal activity. Neglecting paw care results in:. Date latest changes:
Rats have accompanied seafaring vessels since antiquity. Early Mediterranean traders stored grain in wooden hulls, providing a reliable food source that attracted commensal rodents. Archaeological finds from shipwrecks dating to the 5th century BC contain rat teeth and gnawed cargo, confirming their presence long before the Age of Exploration.. Date latest changes:
Fresh pears supply a range of micronutrients relevant to rodent health. The fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin K, small amounts of vitamin A and several B‑vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate). Minerals include potassium, copper, magnesium and trace iron.. Date latest changes:
Where Do Wild Rats Live in Nature?
Wild rats comprise several distinct species that occupy diverse ecosystems across continents. Each species adapts to specific environmental conditions, influencing its distribution and ecological niche. Rattus norvegicus (Norwegian rat) – thrives in temperate floodplains, riverbanks, and agricultural fields;. Date latest changes:
How to Distinguish a Hamster from a Rat: Main Differences
Hamsters are significantly smaller than rats, a key factor in visual identification. Adult Syrian hamsters reach a body length of 5–7 cm (2–2.8 in) and weigh 100–150 g, while dwarf varieties range from 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) in length and 30–50 g in weight.. Date latest changes:
Rats in the wild consume a varied diet that reflects the opportunistic nature of their foraging behavior. Their intake consists primarily of: Grains such as wheat, barley, and oats Seeds from grasses, legumes, and sunflowers Fresh vegetation including leafy greens, shoots, and stems Fruits like berries, apples, and figs Nuts and kernels, providing essential fats Invertebrates—worms, insects, and their larvae—supplying protein Small amounts of carrion when availa. Date latest changes:
How many offspring can a rat have at one time? Maximum litter size
Rats reach sexual maturity around five to six weeks of age, and females enter an estrous cycle that repeats every four to five days. The cycle consists of proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus; only during estrus does the female accept copulation.. Date latest changes:
What does it mean if a rat crossed the road
In many Western folk traditions, a rat seen moving across a roadway is interpreted as an omen rather than a mere coincidence. The animal’s sudden appearance on a path traditionally signals a shift in circumstances, often linked to caution or unexpected change.. Date latest changes:
Red Eye Discharge in Rats: What Does It Mean?
Porphyrin pigment is a reddish‑brown secretion produced by the Harderian gland in rodents. It contains a mixture of porphyrin compounds that bind iron, giving the fluid its characteristic color. When a rat experiences ocular irritation, stress, or disease, the Harderian gland releases excess porphyrin onto the ocular surface, resulting in a noticeable red‑orange discharge.. Date latest changes:
What to Do If a Rat Is Gasping and Opening Its Mouth
When a pet rat exhibits rapid, shallow breathing accompanied by an open mouth, the signs indicate a potential respiratory emergency. Immediate assessment of the animal’s condition is essential to determine the urgency of intervention. Observe the breathing pattern:. Date latest changes:
The Most Effective Way to Permanently Eliminate Rats from the House
Droppings and urine trails provide the most reliable evidence of active rat presence, allowing targeted intervention that prevents reinfestation. Rat feces are small, dark, and typically found in clusters near food sources, nesting sites, or along travel corridors.. Date latest changes:
Sound for Mice: Using Acoustics to Control Rodents
Rodents carry pathogens that threaten public health, agricultural productivity, and food safety. Direct contact with droppings, urine, or contaminated surfaces introduces infectious agents, while indirect exposure occurs through vectors such as fleas and mites.. Date latest changes:
Favorite foods of mice: what they prefer
Mice exhibit a true omnivorous feeding strategy, enabling them to exploit a wide spectrum of nutritional resources. Their dentition, characterized by continuously growing incisors, allows efficient processing of both plant matter and animal tissue.. Date latest changes:
How Mice Can Contract Rabies: Risks and Prevention
Rabies is an acute viral encephalitis caused by the rabies lyssavirus, a neurotropic pathogen that invades peripheral nerves and travels to the central nervous system. The virus replicates in the salivary glands of infected mammals, enabling transmission through bites, scratches, or exposure to contaminated saliva.. Date latest changes:
Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family, evolved as obligate predators of small mammals. Their anatomy—elongated body, agile limbs, acute hearing—optimizes pursuit of rodents in burrows and open ground. The species diverges into two distinct populations:. Date latest changes:
How to drive mice out of an apartment
Droppings and urine trails provide the most reliable evidence of a mouse presence. Fresh droppings are dark, pellet‑shaped, and approximately one centimeter long; older specimens turn lighter and may crumble. Urine appears as a faint, oily sheen on surfaces, often visible under ultraviolet light.. Date latest changes:
Electromagnetic Rat and Mouse Repellent: How It Works and Its Effectiveness
Electromagnetic repellents are devices that emit low‑frequency electromagnetic fields designed to create an uncomfortable environment for rodents such as rats and mice. The fields interfere with the animals’ nervous system, causing disorientation, stress, or aversion without delivering lethal force.. Date latest changes:
Can Mice Gnaw Polystyrene Foam?
Mice possess a hard‑wired gnawing drive that serves to regulate continuously growing incisors and to investigate surrounding objects. The drive operates without conscious deliberation, triggered by tactile contact with any protruding material.. Date latest changes:
Which mouse can walk on two legs
Bipedal locomotion in a mouse represents a rare adaptation among rodents, offering distinct selective benefits. Enhanced visual field: upright posture raises the head, expanding the horizon and facilitating early detection of predators. Energy-efficient travel over short distances:. Date latest changes:
Ultrasonic mouse repeller: pros and cons
Ultrasonic mouse deterrents emit sound waves at frequencies above 20 kHz, a range inaudible to humans but within the hearing sensitivity of rodents. The devices generate continuous or pulsed signals using piezoelectric transducers that convert electrical voltage into mechanical vibrations.. Date latest changes:
How to Get Rid of Mice in the Apartment: Simple Methods
Identifying mouse presence early prevents infestation from escalating. Visible evidence, scent, and damage together confirm activity. Small, dark droppings near food sources, corners, and along walls. Gnaw marks on wood, plastic, wiring, or insulation;. Date latest changes:
What Attracts and Repels Rats and Mice in the Home
Rats and mice prioritize shelter when selecting a dwelling, seeking locations that provide protection from predators, weather, and disturbance. Access points such as cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and unsealed vents create direct routes to interior hideaways.. Date latest changes:
Tomato plants contain the glycoalkaloid solanine, a compound toxic to many mammals at sufficient doses. Concentrations differ markedly among plant parts, influencing the safety of rodent consumption. Leaves and stems : Solanine levels range from 200 – 400 mg kg⁻¹ fresh weight.. Date latest changes:
Dancing Rat: Amazing Movements in Nature
Early field notes from the late‑19th century describe a small rodent performing rapid, rhythmic leaps across forest clearings in the Himalayan foothills. Naturalist Thomas H. Mallory recorded the behavior on 12 July 1887, noting “a succession of synchronized hops that resembled a choreographed display”.. Date latest changes:
Blackberries contain a range of micronutrients that influence the health of small mammals, including laboratory rats. The fruit’s composition provides essential vitamins and minerals that support metabolic functions, immune response, and tissue maintenance.. Date latest changes:
Rats require a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water to maintain growth, reproduction, and immune function. Protein sources commonly include soy, lentils, and insects; carbohydrates are supplied by grains such as wheat, oats, and barley;. Date latest changes:
Mice and rats generate a diverse array of vocal signals that serve distinct biological functions. These signals differ in frequency range, acoustic structure, and behavioral context. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) – frequencies above 20 kHz, emitted by pups when separated from the dam and by adults during courtship or territorial encounters.. Date latest changes:
Signs of Rabies in Rats: How to Identify
Rabies is an acute viral encephalitis caused by the Rabies lyssavirus, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family. The virus targets the central nervous system, leading to progressive inflammation, neuronal dysfunction, and ultimately death if untreated.. Date latest changes:
How Domestic Rats Sleep: Sleep Characteristics
Domestic rats exhibit a predominantly nocturnal pattern, engaging in most foraging, social interaction, and exploratory behavior during the dark phase. Their circadian system aligns peak locomotor activity with low-light conditions, resulting in extended bouts of wakefulness that can last 6–8 hours after lights off.. Date latest changes:
Cellulose Bedding for Rat Cages
Cellulose bedding is a substrate derived from plant fibers, typically processed wood pulp, that is engineered for use in laboratory rodent housing. The material consists of short, absorbent strands that form a loose, dry matrix capable of retaining moisture, odor, and waste particles while remaining easy to handle.. Date latest changes:
Photos and Description of Ground Rats
Ground rats, often captured in field photography, exhibit a combination of traits that set them apart from other rodent families. Their compact body length typically ranges from 12 to 18 cm, with a robust skull lacking the pronounced sagittal crest common in many murids.. Date latest changes:
Effective Ways to Eliminate Rats on a Summer House Property
Rats leave unmistakable evidence that points directly to their presence on a seasonal retreat. Identifying these signs early prevents widespread damage and health risks. Dark, pellet‑shaped droppings, ¼‑inch long, commonly found near food storage, along baseboards, and under outdoor furniture.. Date latest changes:
Can Rats Be Given Avocado: Product Safety
Rats require a balanced diet that supplies protein, fiber, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water in precise proportions to maintain health and support normal physiological functions. Protein sources such as cooked chicken, boiled eggs, low‑fat cottage cheese, and commercial rodent pellets provide the amino acids necessary for tissue growth, immune competence, and enzymatic activity.. Date latest changes:
Raw carrots provide a range of micronutrients that support rodent health. The vegetable’s nutrient profile includes several vitamins and minerals that are readily absorbed when offered uncooked. Vitamin A – supplied as β‑carotene, converts to retinol for vision and immune function.. Date latest changes:
Mummifying tablets for rats and mice: How they work
Mummifying tablets are pre‑formulated solid mixtures designed to preserve the anatomy of small laboratory rodents after euthanasia. The tablets contain a blend of fixatives—typically formaldehyde, ethanol, and a desiccant such as silica gel—combined with buffering agents that maintain a neutral pH.. Date latest changes:
How to detect parasites in a rat
External parasites, commonly referred to as ectoparasites, attach to the skin, fur, or ears of rats and can be identified through direct observation, tactile examination, and laboratory analysis. Visual inspection under adequate lighting reveals adult insects, larvae, or nymphs.. Date latest changes:
How to Distinguish a Female Rat from a Male?
Accurate sex identification is a prerequisite for any rat breeding operation. Misidentification leads to unintended litters and disrupts genetic plans. Key physical indicators: Anogenital distance: males exhibit a markedly longer space between the anus and the genital opening than females.. Date latest changes:
Safe Rat Poison Not Harmful to Cats and Dogs
In rodent control, the choice of active ingredient determines the likelihood of accidental poisoning in cats and dogs. Ingredients classified as low‑toxicity anticoagulants, mineral‑based agents, and certain botanical extracts provide effective rodent mortality while presenting minimal risk to non‑target mammals.. Date latest changes: