List of articles № 37
Rabies is a viral encephalitis caused by members of the lyssavirus genus. The pathogen infects mammals, invades the nervous system, and leads to fatal inflammation of the brain. Transmission occurs primarily through the saliva of infected animals.. Date latest changes:
Rat Playpen: How to Create a Safe Space for Rodent Games
Physical exercise is a critical component of a well‑designed rodent activity enclosure. Regular movement supports cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and cognitive stimulation for pet rats. An enclosure that encourages running, climbing, and manipulation reduces stress and promotes natural behaviors.. Date latest changes:
Rats readily digest liver, obtaining a highly concentrated source of protein. Liver tissue contains approximately 20 g of protein per 100 g, surpassing many muscle meats in amino‑acid density. The protein profile includes essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine, and tryptophan, which support growth, tissue repair, and enzymatic functions in rodents.. Date latest changes:
How to Care for Rats: Comprehensive Maintenance
Rats are inherently social mammals; isolation increases anxiety and can precipitate abnormal behaviors. Providing a conspecific companion satisfies the species‑typical need for interaction and stabilizes emotional equilibrium. Companionship yields measurable physiological benefits.. Date latest changes:
Do Rats Eat Sugar? Benefits and Drawbacks
Rats are classified as omnivores, meaning their diet naturally includes both plant and animal matter. This dietary flexibility allows them to consume a wide range of foods, from grains and fruits to insects and carrion. Consequently, sugary items such as fruits, honey, and processed sweets are readily accepted when presented.. Date latest changes:
Should Rats Eat Fresh or Cooked Cabbage?
Rats require a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals to support growth, immune function, and metabolic processes. Cabbage supplies several nutrients relevant to these needs, but the form in which it is offered influences their availability.. Date latest changes:
What to Do If a Rat Has a Cold
Rats suffering from a cold may exhibit signs that indicate compromised breathing. Recognizing these signs promptly allows for timely intervention and reduces the risk of progression to pneumonia or other serious conditions. Key indicators of respiratory distress include:. Date latest changes:
How to Determine the Sex of a Decorative Dambo Rat
Size and build provide the most reliable external cues for sexing decorative dambo rats. Males typically exceed females in overall mass, with mature individuals weighing 250–300 g, whereas females average 180–230 g under comparable conditions.. Date latest changes:
Pet rats require a balanced diet that supplies protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and adequate water. Protein supports growth, tissue repair, and immune function; a target of 15–20 % of total calories can be met with high‑quality laboratory pellets, cooked egg white, or lean cooked meat.. Date latest changes:
How to Distinguish a Male Rat from a Female
Pet owners who need to determine the sex of a domestic rat should focus on three reliable indicators: genital anatomy, nipple development, and size differences. The most definitive characteristic is the shape of the genital opening. In males, the distance between the anus and the genital papilla (the “anogenital distance”) is noticeably larger, often twice the length seen in females.. Date latest changes:
What Pet Rats Like to Eat: Preferred Food List
Pet rats require high‑quality protein to support growth, muscle maintenance, and reproductive health. Adequate protein also promotes a robust immune system and healthy fur condition. Common protein sources suitable for domesticated rats include:. Date latest changes:
How to Remove Odor from a Rat Cage
Ammonia accumulates in a rat cage when urine and feces decompose, releasing nitrogen compounds that evaporate as a pungent gas. High concentrations irritate the respiratory tract, damage fur, and contribute to the overall odor problem. The primary sources of ammonia are frequent urination, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient cleaning.. Date latest changes:
How to Deter Rats from a Car in a Parking Lot
Rats are drawn to vehicles when food remnants are present. Common attractants include: Open garbage cans or unsecured bags left near parked cars. Food wrappers, paper bags, or cardboard that have been dropped on the pavement. Pet food bowls or treats placed close to the vehicle.. Date latest changes:
What Can and Cannot Be Given to Pet Rats
Proteins are a major component of a balanced diet for pet rats, supporting tissue repair, growth and immune function. Safe protein sources include: Cooked lean chicken breast, unseasoned and shredded Hard‑boiled egg, finely chopped Low‑fat cottage cheese, offered in small portions Plain tofu, cubed and lightly steamed Commercial rat pellets that list a defined protein percentage Protein foods that should be excluded are:. Date latest changes:
Feeding Mice: Diet for Pet Rodents
Mice require three primary macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrate—to sustain growth, reproduction, and daily activity. Adequate balance prevents malnutrition, supports immune function, and maintains body condition. Protein supplies amino acids for tissue repair and enzyme production.. Date latest changes:
Frog That Eats a Mouse: Unusual Amphibian Feeding Habit
Some frog species have been documented preying on small mammals, notably mice, demonstrating a dietary range that exceeds the typical insect‑based menu. Field observations in tropical wetlands reveal individuals capturing rodents with rapid tongue projection, followed by ingestion using a flexible jaw hinge capable of expanding beyond the dimensions required for arthropod prey.. Date latest changes:
How Many Pups a Female Mouse Gives Birth to: Reproductive Details
Female mice reach sexual maturity between four and six weeks of age, a period defined by the onset of estrous cycles. The first estrus typically occurs after weaning, marking the transition from juvenile to reproductively capable. Pubertal development is regulated by the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑gonadal axis, with rising gonadotropin‑releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulating luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion.. Date latest changes:
Review of Sticky Traps for Mice
Sticky mouse traps rely on a combination of materials and structural features that determine capture efficiency and user safety. The adhesive surface consists of a high‑tack polymer coating applied to a flexible substrate; the polymer maintains stickiness across a temperature range of 0 °C to 30 °C and resists dust accumulation.. Date latest changes:
How to Distinguiate a Mouse from a Rat: Key Characteristics
Mice and rats differ markedly in body length and weight, two metrics that provide reliable identification. Typical adult house mice (Mus musculus) measure 6–10 cm from nose to the base of the tail, with total length including the tail reaching 12–20 cm.. Date latest changes:
Do Mice Live in Eco-Vats: Interesting Facts
Eco‑vats are engineered containers that mimic natural habitats while integrating waste‑treatment functions. Constructed from biodegradable materials, they maintain controlled moisture, temperature, and ventilation to support microbial activity and plant growth.. Date latest changes:
Do Mice Chew Polystyrene Foam?
Mice possess several innate drives that shape their interaction with objects in their environment. These drives include: Gnawing instinct – continuously growing incisors require regular wear, prompting rodents to bite a wide range of materials.. Date latest changes:
Herbs That Repel Mice in a Private House
Mice enter private residences primarily to satisfy basic survival needs. Access to abundant food sources, such as stored grains, pantry items, and food scraps, provides a strong attractant. Warm, dry shelter protects them from predators and harsh weather, while structural gaps—cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and unsealed doors—offer easy entry.. Date latest changes:
Types of Insulation That Repel Mice and Rats
Rodents infiltrate homes seeking food, shelter, and nesting sites, creating immediate and long‑term hazards. Chew through wood, drywall, and insulation, compromising structural integrity. Contaminate surfaces and stored goods with urine, droppings, and saliva, leading to food spoilage.. Date latest changes:
Mole and mouse netting for garden beds: How to use
When installing protective netting in garden beds, pinpointing mole activity begins with recognizing molehills. Accurate identification guides the placement of barriers and prevents unnecessary disturbance of healthy soil. Size: typical molehills range from 4 in to 12 in in diameter;. Date latest changes:
Effective Baits: What Is Best to Use in a Mouse Trap?
Bait determines whether a mouse will investigate a trap, influencing capture rates directly. Rodents rely on scent and taste cues to locate food; a trap lacking an appealing attractant often goes ignored. The chemical composition of bait interacts with the mouse’s olfactory receptors, triggering exploratory behavior that leads to contact with the trigger mechanism.. Date latest changes:
Rex Rat Breed: Characteristics
The rex trait in rats represents a mutation that alters hair structure, producing a soft, wavy coat. The mutation affects the keratin genes responsible for hair shaft formation, resulting in reduced hair rigidity and a plush texture. Selective breeding amplifies the trait by pairing individuals that express the mutation with carriers lacking visible expression.. Date latest changes:
Why Does a Rat Shed? Causes of Hair Loss
Rats regularly replace fur as part of their growth cycle. This process, known as normal shedding, occurs seasonally or after hormonal shifts. New hair pushes out old fibers, which fall off in small, evenly distributed clumps. The skin remains healthy, no lesions appear, and the animal’s coat regains a uniform appearance within weeks.. Date latest changes:
Breeding rats at home offers several practical advantages. Controlled genetics allow selection of traits such as temperament, coat color, and size, which benefits research, pet ownership, and hobbyist breeding programs. A stable supply of healthy animals reduces reliance on external vendors, ensuring consistent availability for experiments, educational projects, or personal use.. Date latest changes:
Rare Rat Species: Introduction to Unusual Rodent Breeds
Rare rodent taxa are identified through measurable criteria that distinguish them from common species. Primary indicators include: Extremely restricted natural distribution, often confined to isolated habitats such as single valleys, volcanic islands, or remote cave systems.. Date latest changes:
Effective Rat and Mouse Control Methods
Droppings and urine marks provide the most reliable evidence of rodent activity. Fresh feces appear as small, dark, cylindrical pellets, typically 0.2–0.5 cm in length, with a glossy surface. Older droppings darken, become brittle, and may crumble when handled.. Date latest changes:
Ultrasonic Device Repelling Rats
Ultrasound consists of sound waves with frequencies above the upper limit of human hearing, typically greater than 20 kHz. In air, these waves propagate as longitudinal pressure oscillations, with wavelength inversely proportional to frequency and directly proportional to the speed of sound (approximately 343 m s⁻¹ at 20 °C).. Date latest changes:
Why Rats Chew Hammocks: Behavioral Reasons
Rats target hammocks because the fabric offers an ideal substrate for constructing burrows and nests. The soft, flexible material mimics natural underground tunnels, allowing the animals to excavate a secure chamber with minimal effort. Chewing reduces the material’s density, creating openings that can be expanded into a protective enclosure.. Date latest changes:
Feeding a Sick Rat: Specialized Recommendations
Illness in a rat manifests through distinct behavioral alterations that directly influence feeding patterns. Recognizing these changes enables precise nutritional intervention and improves recovery prospects. Reduced locomotion, often expressed as prolonged periods of inactivity.. Date latest changes:
Why Cats Don't Eat Rats: Behavioral Reasons
Cats descend from solitary hunters that relied on quick kills of small vertebrates. Domestication reduced the necessity to secure daily meals, yet the predatory circuitry remains active. The shift from wilderness to household reshapes how felines interact with potential prey, including rodents.. Date latest changes:
Rats possess incisors that never cease to grow. The enamel covers only the front surface, while dentin forms the rear, creating a natural bevel. As the teeth erupt, the softer dentin wears faster than the enamel, maintaining a sharp edge without external sharpening.. Date latest changes:
Buckwheat belongs to the group of pseudocereals, plant seeds used like true cereals despite lacking grass family taxonomy. The grain’s botanical family is Polygonaceae, and its seeds contain high levels of protein, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and a spectrum of minerals such as magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus.. Date latest changes:
What Is a Large White Rat Called
Albino rats are the term applied to large, white-furred rodents that lack pigment in their skin, hair, and eyes. The absence of melanin results in a pinkish nose and red eyes, distinguishing them from other white variants that retain some coloration.. Date latest changes:
Which Vegetables and Fruits Can Be Given to Rats
Rats require a balanced diet that includes specific nutrients found in fresh produce. The most critical components are: Vitamin C – essential for collagen synthesis and immune function; carrots, bell peppers, and strawberries supply adequate amounts.. Date latest changes:
How to Combat Rats on a Garden Plot
Visual confirmation of rats provides the most reliable data for planning garden pest control. Direct sightings reveal the species present, activity periods, and preferred pathways, allowing targeted interventions rather than broad, ineffective measures.. Date latest changes:
Care and Maintenance of a Domestic Rat: Helpful Tips
Domestic rats typically live three to five years when provided with appropriate nutrition, environmental enrichment, and veterinary oversight. Longevity can be extended by preventing common respiratory infections, maintaining stable temperature, and avoiding exposure to toxic substances.. Date latest changes: