List of articles № 142

All About Rats: Comprehensive Guide

Rats encountered most frequently by humans belong to two primary species, each with distinct traits and geographic ranges. The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) dominates temperate regions, thrives in sewers, basements, and agricultural settings, and reaches lengths of 20–25 cm excluding the tail.. Date latest changes:

Dreams About Dead Rats: Interpretation

Rats appear frequently in symbolic dream analysis, representing instincts that operate beneath conscious awareness. Their presence signals aspects of survival, contamination, betrayal, adaptability, and concealed danger. Survival instinct:. Date latest changes:

Rats in the Forest: Ecology and Behavior in Natural Habitat

The black rat (Rattus rattus) occupies forest edges, canopy layers, and riparian corridors where dense vegetation offers shelter and foraging opportunities. Individuals prefer arboreal routes, constructing nests in tree hollows, dense shrubbery, or abandoned bird nests.. Date latest changes:

Can Rats Be Washed?

Rats devote a large portion of their daily activity to self‑grooming. The behavior combines licking of the fur, chewing of the skin, and precise scratching with the hind paws. Saliva distributes oils that maintain coat flexibility, while chewing removes loose hair and debris.. Date latest changes:

Glue for Rat Trapping: Review

Glue traps are flat devices coated with a high‑strength adhesive that immobilizes rodents upon contact. The adhesive layer is typically a synthetic polymer formulated to remain tacky over a wide temperature range, preventing the animal from escaping once it steps onto the surface.. Date latest changes:

How to Administer an Injection to a Rat: Step‑by‑Step Guide

Proper execution of a rat injection requires a defined set of tools that ensure accuracy, sterility, and animal welfare. The following items constitute the minimum essential equipment. Syringe : 1‑ml or 0.5‑ml precision syringe with a consistent plunger action;. Date latest changes:

Creating a Cheese Maze for Rats

Rats demonstrate a strong attraction to mazes because the structures engage innate exploratory and foraging drives. Their natural tendency to investigate novel environments triggers heightened activity in the hippocampus, a brain region responsible for spatial navigation and memory consolidation.. Date latest changes:

How to Prepare Rats for Travel: Transportation and Care

When a rat is scheduled for a trip, a veterinary assessment should be arranged if any of the following conditions are present: fever, respiratory distress, uncontrolled diarrhea, signs of pain, recent injuries, or chronic illnesses such as kidney disease.. Date latest changes:

Can a Rat Kill a Cat?

Rats display opportunistic predation despite being primarily omnivores. Their incisors can inflict deep wounds, and they possess strong bite forces relative to body size. In territorial disputes or when defending nests, rats may attack animals larger than themselves, especially if the opponent is weakened or juvenile.. Date latest changes:

Why Can Rats Climb Walls?

Rats ascend vertical surfaces thanks to specialized extremities that combine mechanical and sensory adaptations. Their feet feature a dense array of flexible pads covered with microscopic setae that increase surface contact and generate friction.. Date latest changes:

Methods to Remove Rats from a Property

Detecting rodent activity is the first critical step before any control measures are implemented. Accurate identification of infestation relies on recognizing specific indicators that rats leave behind. Dark, pellet‑shaped droppings, typically ¼ to ½ inch long, found near food sources, along walls, or in hidden corners.. Date latest changes:

What Food Is Suitable for Rats: Complete List of Healthy Products

Rats require a diet that supplies roughly 14‑16 % protein for adult maintenance and up to 20‑22 % for breeding, growth, or recovery periods. Protein intake below these levels leads to reduced weight gain, impaired fur condition, and diminished reproductive performance;. Date latest changes:

The most effective rat poison

Anticoagulant rodenticides constitute the principal chemical class used for controlling rat populations. Their effectiveness derives from interference with the vitamin K cycle, which prevents synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.. Date latest changes:

Dead rats in a dream: what they symbolize

Rats appearing in nocturnal visions often convey constructive meanings that contrast with common negative impressions. Their presence signals mental agility, the capacity to solve problems quickly, and an instinct for survival in challenging environments.. Date latest changes:

How to Permanently Eliminate Rats in a Private House

Droppings and urine trails reveal the presence, movement patterns, and population size of rodents within a residence. Fresh feces appear as small, dark pellets ½‑inch long, while older droppings darken and may crumble. Urine stains are invisible to the naked eye but become apparent under ultraviolet light, leaving a faint, oily sheen on surfaces.. Date latest changes:

Best Baits for a Rat Trap

Odor is the most reliable trigger for rodent activity. Rats rely on their acute sense of smell to locate food, shelter, and mates; a trap that presents a familiar scent can outcompete natural foraging options. Effective scent-based lures include:. Date latest changes:

What to Do When a Mouse or Rat Appears in an Apartment

Stay calm when you notice a rodent inside your flat; panic obscures details and may provoke the animal to hide or bite. A steady mindset lets you gather accurate information and choose an effective response. Assess the situation systematically:. Date latest changes:

Cat Caught a Mouse: Natural Observation

The capture of a mouse by a domestic feline illustrates the persistence of ancestral hunting mechanisms. Felines belong to the family Felidae, which diverged from other carnivores approximately 25 million years ago. Early felids possessed elongated bodies, flexible spines, and sharp, retractable claws—features that remain central to modern predation.. Date latest changes:

Biology of the White Field Mouse: Lifestyle and Adaptations

The white field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) occupies a broad swath of the Palearctic region, extending from the Iberian Peninsula across Western and Central Europe to the western foothills of the Ural Mountains. Its distribution reaches northward into southern Scandinavia and southward into the Mediterranean basin, including the Balkans, Anatolia, and parts of the Near East.. Date latest changes:

Mouse Gestation Length

The duration of pregnancy in laboratory mice varies markedly among inbred and outbred strains. Genetic background accounts for most of the observed differences, with environmental factors contributing secondary effects. C57BL/6J: average 19.. Date latest changes:

How Many Days Do Mice Need for Reproduction?

Proestrus marks the beginning of the female mouse estrous cycle and prepares the reproductive system for ovulation. Hormonal changes, primarily a rise in estrogen, stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles and the development of the uterine lining.. Date latest changes:

Why Mice Gnaw Grain

Mice gnaw grain because their incisors are adapted for constant abrasion. Each incisor consists of a hard enamel crown overlaying a softer dentin core. Enamel wears faster than dentin, creating a self-sharpening edge that remains effective during repeated chewing.. Date latest changes:

Why Do Bats Cause Fear? Psychological and Biological Perspectives

Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, which diverged from other mammals more than 80 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous. Early chiropterans developed powered flight, a unique adaptation among mammals, enabling exploitation of aerial niches and the colonization of diverse habitats worldwide.. Date latest changes:

Black‑Striped Mouse: A Rare Species Worth Knowing

The black‑striped mouse exhibits a compact body measuring 70–85 mm in head‑body length, with a tail nearly equal to or slightly longer than the torso. Its most distinctive attribute is a series of parallel, dark‑brown to black dorsal stripes that extend from the neck to the base of the tail, each stripe approximately 3–5 mm wide and separated by lighter, sandy‑colored fur.. Date latest changes:

How to Catch a Mouse in the House Quickly: Practical Tips

Droppings and urine odors provide the most reliable indicators of a mouse presence. Fresh droppings appear as small, dark pellets, typically 3–6 mm long, with a pointed tip. Accumulations near food storage, behind appliances, or along baseboards confirm active foraging routes.. Date latest changes:

Methods for removing mice from a cottage house

Droppings and urine stains are the most visible signs of a rodent presence in a cottage. They indicate active foraging, breeding, and potential health hazards. Prompt identification and thorough removal are essential to prevent disease transmission and deter further infestation.. Date latest changes:

How to Make a Simple Mouse Trap from a Plastic Bottle

A plastic bottle mouse trap delivers high cost‑effectiveness because the primary material is typically available in household waste. No purchase of specialized hardware is required, eliminating the expense of commercial devices. 1‑liter PET bottle:. Date latest changes:

Fast and Effective Ways to Drive Mice Out from Between Walls

Mice select wall cavities because these spaces provide shelter, food access, and protection from predators. The structural characteristics of walls create an environment that meets several biological needs: Temperature stability – interior walls maintain a relatively constant temperature, shielding mice from extreme outdoor heat or cold.. Date latest changes:

Australian Swamp Rat: Biology and Habitat

The Australian swamp rat, scientifically designated Rattus lutreolus , belongs to the order Rodentia and the family Muridae. It is classified within the subfamily Murinae, which comprises the true mice and rats. The species occupies a distinct position in the taxonomic hierarchy of mammals.. Date latest changes:

Ultrasound: Effective Method to Repel Rats

Rodents possess a highly developed auditory system tuned to frequencies far beyond the human hearing range. The cochlear architecture includes a dense array of hair cells that respond efficiently to ultrasonic wavelengths, enabling detection of sounds between 20 kHz and 80 kHz with thresholds as low as 30 dB SPL.. Date latest changes:

Rats Eating Humans: Rare Attack Cases and Precautionary Measures

Historical records from medieval Europe mention isolated incidents in which large swarms of rats entered dwellings during famines, overwhelming occupants and causing fatal injuries. Chroniclers such as Giovanni Villani (14th century) describe a plague‑year siege in Florence where rats breached a granary, attacked sleeping laborers, and inflicted multiple mortal wounds.. Date latest changes:

What Can Be Given to Rats in Their Diet?

Commercial rat diets are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of adult and juvenile rodents. They provide balanced proportions of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, reducing the need for extensive supplementation. Pellet diets consist of compressed granules that prevent selective feeding.. Date latest changes:

Can Rats Be Given Berries

Berries contain high concentrations of vitamins A, C, K, and several B‑complex vitamins that support visual health, immune function, and metabolic processes in laboratory rodents. Vitamin C, absent from most rodent diets, is supplied efficiently by raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, reducing the incidence of scurvy‑like symptoms in long‑term studies.. Date latest changes:

How Often to Feed Rats? Nutrition Recommendations

Feeding frequency and diet composition directly influence rodent physiological systems, thereby affecting overall health and lifespan. Regular, appropriately timed meals maintain stable blood glucose levels, reduce stress‑induced hormonal spikes, and support efficient nutrient absorption.. Date latest changes:

Why Rats Scratch All Night and How to Help

Parasitic infestations are a primary cause of continuous nocturnal scratching in rats. Mites (e.g., Myobia spp.), fleas, and lice attach to the skin, feed on blood, and release irritants that provoke intense pruritus. Infestations often worsen during the night when rats are most active, leading to observable skin lesions and hair loss.. Date latest changes:

How to Choose the Best Food for Rats

Rats require a consistent supply of high‑quality protein to support growth, tissue repair, and metabolic functions. Adult laboratory rats typically need 14–16 % protein on a dry‑matter basis, while growing juveniles and pregnant females require 18–20 %.. Date latest changes:

Characteristics of Rat Droppings: Photos and Description

Rats leave fecal deposits that contain pathogens capable of causing serious illness in humans and domestic animals. Direct contact with droppings, inhalation of dried particles, or ingestion of contaminated food and water are the primary exposure routes.. Date latest changes:

Cute Name Ideas for Female Rats

Female rats often display a blend of curiosity, confidence, and sociability. Their natural inclination to explore makes them active participants in a household, while a gentle disposition allows them to bond closely with owners. Temperament can range from bold and adventurous to shy and contemplative, influencing how owners perceive and interact with their pets.. Date latest changes:

Can Rat Teeth Be Trimmed: Recommendations

Rat incisors grow throughout the animal’s life because the enamel is present only on the outer edge. Continuous eruption compensates for constant wear from gnawing, maintaining a functional length for food handling and nest building. Without sufficient abrasion, the teeth can elongate, leading to malocclusion, difficulty eating, and facial injury.. Date latest changes:

How to Treat Rats for Parasites: Proven Methods

Mite infestations in laboratory and pet rats cause skin irritation, hair loss, and secondary infections. Early detection relies on visual inspection of the coat and skin for tiny, moving specks, crusts, or excessive scratching. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings confirms species identification.. Date latest changes: