List of articles № 57
The male rat reproductive system consists of paired testes, epididymides, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, and a penis surrounded by a preputial sheath. Testes are located within the scrotum, produce spermatozoa and testosterone, and are composed of seminiferous tubules lined by Sertoli cells.. Date latest changes:
Rat shelter: how to properly care for rescued rodents
A thorough health examination is essential for every rodent admitted to a rescue facility. Early detection of disease, injury, or nutritional deficiency prevents the spread of illness and supports successful rehabilitation. Physical inspection of coat, eyes, ears, and limbs to identify wounds, parasites, or abnormalities.. Date latest changes:
Genetic predisposition markedly influences the extreme lifespan observed in certain laboratory rats. Specific alleles confer resistance to age‑related decline, allowing individuals to surpass typical longevity benchmarks. Key genetic elements identified include:. Date latest changes:
Street Rat Sizes: What You Need to Know
Understanding how street rats differ from domesticated rats is essential when assessing size variations. Street rats typically exhibit a broader range of body lengths, with adult males reaching 7–10 inches (excluding the tail) and females slightly smaller.. Date latest changes:
Cats have been selectively bred for hunting ability since their initial partnership with humans. Early agricultural societies favored individuals that displayed strong predatory instincts, leading to a lineage that retains sharp reflexes, acute hearing, and a high chase drive.. Date latest changes:
The diaphragm in rodents is a thin muscular sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Contraction expands the lungs, allowing air influx; relaxation compresses the thoracic space, expelling air. Unlike the pleural muscles of many mammals, the rat diaphragm exhibits a higher proportion of fast‑twitch fibers, enabling rapid adjustments during grooming, locomotion, and sudden stress.. Date latest changes:
Do Rats Have Menstruation? Reproductive System Facts
Rats do not experience menstrual bleeding; instead, they follow an estrous cycle that regulates ovarian activity and fertility. The cycle consists of four distinct phases, each characterized by specific hormonal profiles and physiological changes.. Date latest changes:
Why Rats Scratch Frequently and How to Prevent It
Rats exhibit frequent scratching as a direct expression of innate grooming behavior. The act serves to remove debris, maintain fur integrity, and control ectoparasites. When the skin or coat encounters irritants—such as dust, damp bedding, or mite infestation—the animal instinctively scrapes the affected area with its hind limbs.. Date latest changes:
Photo of a Field Rat in a Garden
Capturing a quick‑moving rodent among garden plants requires a shutter speed fast enough to freeze motion while preserving enough light for a clean image. When the subject darts across leaves, a duration of 1/1000 s or shorter typically eliminates blur, allowing details of fur and whiskers to remain sharp.. Date latest changes:
Rats may bite or scratch when cornered, triggering an acute fear response that elevates heart rate, cortisol, and adrenaline. The perception of imminent danger activates the amygdala, prompting rapid assessment of escape routes and defensive actions.. Date latest changes:
Can Rats Be Given Watermelon Seeds?
Watermelon seeds contain a dense combination of macronutrients that can contribute to a rodent’s dietary requirements. A typical 100‑gram serving provides approximately 560 kcal, 30 g of protein, 48 g of fat, 15 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of dietary fiber.. Date latest changes:
How to Befriend a Cat and a Rat
Cats possess innate hunting drives that trigger pursuit of small rodents. Rats, in turn, display evasion behaviors shaped by centuries of predator pressure. Understanding these reciprocal cues is essential for any attempt to cultivate mutual tolerance.. Date latest changes:
How to Choose and Purchase a Large Cage for a Rat
Small cages impose chronic stress on rats. Limited space restricts natural exploratory behavior, causing elevated cortisol levels and persistent agitation. The physiological response reduces immune function and predisposes animals to respiratory infections, skin lesions, and gastrointestinal disturbances.. Date latest changes:
How to Train a Pet Rat to Hand Handling
Pet rats exhibit a highly social nature, forming strong bonds with conspecifics and humans alike. Their hierarchy-driven interactions involve frequent grooming, communal nesting, and vocal exchanges that signal emotional states such as curiosity, contentment, or alarm.. Date latest changes:
How a Rat Can Enter an Apartment
Rats locate apartments by detecting accessible food and water. Open pantry shelves, uncovered pet meals, and food remnants on counters provide immediate nutrition, prompting rodents to probe cracks, gaps around doors, or vent openings. Any area where crumbs accumulate or containers are left unsealed becomes a beacon that guides rats toward potential entry points.. Date latest changes:
Effect of Ultrasound on Rats and Mice
Ultrasound systems employed in rodent studies fall into several distinct categories, each defined by acoustic output, waveform, and intended biological interaction. Diagnostic imaging transducers operate at frequencies between 20 MHz and 70 MHz, providing high‑resolution anatomical images of small animal tissues.. Date latest changes:
Choosing the Best Rat and Mouse Repeller for a Private Home
Rodent excreta present immediate health hazards and signal ongoing infestation, making them essential criteria when evaluating a home‑based rodent deterrent. Feces can contain pathogens such as hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospira; inhalation of dried particles or direct contact may cause respiratory or gastrointestinal illness.. Date latest changes:
Do Mice Bite? The Truth About Their Teeth
Mice bite primarily as a self‑preservation response. When they perceive a threat—such as sudden movement, loud noise, or direct contact with a predator’s hand—their instinct triggers a rapid, forceful closure of the incisors. The bite is short, but the sharp enamel edges can puncture skin and cause bleeding.. Date latest changes:
Mice leave distinct evidence that confirms their presence and guides control measures. Small droppings, approximately ¼ inch long, dark and pellet‑shaped, often found along walls, near food sources, or in concealed corners. Gnawed materials, including wood, plastic, insulation, and packaging, display irregular bite marks with a clean, shredded appearance.. Date latest changes:
Effective Methods for Catching Mice at Home
Mouse droppings appear as small, dark pellets about the size of a grain of rice. Urine stains manifest as reddish‑brown discolorations, often concentrated near food sources, entry points, or nesting areas. Both signs confirm active infestation and guide placement of traps, bait stations, and exclusion measures.. Date latest changes:
Mice possess continuously growing incisors that extend throughout their lives. Each incisor contains a self‑renewing enamel layer at the front and a softer dentin core behind it. As dentin wears away from regular use, the enamel remains intact, forcing the tooth to elongate to maintain functional length.. Date latest changes:
The Lightest Mouse in the World: An Amazing Rodent Species
Scientific evaluation of “lightest” requires explicit criteria that can be measured, compared, and reproduced. In zoological research, the term refers to the smallest body mass recorded for a given species, expressed in grams or milligrams, and obtained under standardized conditions.. Date latest changes:
Effectiveness of Mouse Repellents: Do They Work?
Ultrasonic repellents emit high‑frequency sound waves that rodents cannot hear, intended to create a hostile acoustic environment. Devices typically operate between 20 kHz and 65 kHz, cycling through varied tones to prevent habituation. Research on these devices yields mixed outcomes.. Date latest changes:
How to Expel Mice from Home Without Chemicals
Droppings and urine trails are the most reliable indicators of a mouse presence. Fresh droppings appear as small, dark pellets about the size of a grain of rice, often found along walls, behind appliances, and in pantry corners. Urine leaves a faint, oily sheen that may become visible under a blacklight, and it emits a musky odor detectable after prolonged exposure.. Date latest changes:
What to Do If Mice Appear at Home
Mice leave feces and urine trails that reveal their activity and pose health hazards. Fresh droppings appear as small, dark pellets about half an inch long; older droppings may turn gray and crumble. Urine traces often show as wet, glossy streaks on surfaces, especially along walls, cabinets, and behind appliances.. Date latest changes:
Can You Take Mice by the Tail?
The mouse tail is a flexible extension of the vertebral column composed of 20‑30 caudal vertebrae, covered by skin, sparse fur, and a network of blood vessels and nerves. Its musculature allows fine adjustments of curvature, enabling rapid changes in direction during locomotion.. Date latest changes:
Why your cat doesn't catch mice in the house: Causes and solutions
Domestic cats retain a hunting instinct forged in their wild ancestors, animals that survived by stalking and killing small prey. This inherited prey drive shapes their behavior even when food is provided by humans. Ancestral hunting required acute vision, rapid reflexes, and a strong bite;. Date latest changes:
Mice on the First Floor of the Apartment: What Should the Owner Do
Mice attracted to the first‑floor unit typically locate food and water where they are most accessible. Eliminating these resources is the most direct method to reduce activity. Secure all edible items in airtight containers made of metal or thick plastic.. Date latest changes:
Mammalian gas production originates primarily from microbial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the large intestine. Anaerobic bacteria break down polysaccharides, releasing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and short‑chain fatty acids.. Date latest changes:
Rat fur coat: history and ethics of using rodent fur
Fur has served as a functional and status material since the Upper Paleolithic, when hunters fashioned pelts from wolves, bears, and small mammals for insulation and ceremonial display. Archaeological sites in Europe and Asia reveal stitched garments dating to 30 000 BP, indicating early mastery of skin preparation and stitching techniques.. Date latest changes:
Sarcoma in Rats: Signs and Treatment
Sarcoma in rats represents a malignant neoplasm arising from mesenchymal tissue, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of fibroblastic, myogenic, or osteogenic cells. The tumor originates from transformed stromal elements, distinguishing it from epithelial carcinomas.. Date latest changes:
Rats produce hiccup‑like contractions when the diaphragm undergoes sudden, involuntary spasms. These events arise from a reflex circuit that links sensory input from the thoraco‑abdominal region to motor nuclei controlling the muscle. The diaphragm in rats is a thin, dome‑shaped skeletal muscle attached to the lower ribs and lumbar vertebrae.. Date latest changes:
Rats maintain hygiene primarily through self‑grooming. They use their forepaws to clean the face, ears, and whiskers, then rub their bodies against surfaces to reach harder‑to‑access areas. This behavior removes debris, distributes natural oils, and reduces parasite load.. Date latest changes:
Traditional lavash is a thin, unleavened flatbread that originates from the South Caucasus and Anatolia. Its classic formulation relies on a minimal set of ingredients, each contributing specific functional properties to the dough and final product.. Date latest changes:
What Rats Love to Eat: Top Treats and Diet
Proteins supply the amino acids rats need to grow, repair tissues, and maintain immune function. A balanced diet for a pet rat should include high‑quality protein sources that are easily digestible and free of excess fat. Cooked chicken breast, shredded into small pieces Hard‑boiled eggs, quartered Low‑fat cottage cheese, spooned in moderation Commercial rat pellets that list animal or soy protein as a primary ingredient Insects such as mealworms or crickets, offere. Date latest changes:
Taming a Decorative Rat: Step-by-Step Guide
Rats are highly social mammals that establish clear hierarchies within groups. Dominance is expressed through posture, grooming, and occasional mild aggression, while subordinate individuals display retreating behavior and submissive postures.. Date latest changes:
Using Zinc Phosphide Against Rats
Zinc phosphide is a binary inorganic compound composed of zinc and phosphorus atoms in a 3:2 molar ratio, represented by the chemical formula Zn₃P₂. Its molecular weight is approximately 258 g·mol⁻¹. The solid adopts a tetragonal crystal lattice belonging to the space group I4₁/amd, where zinc atoms occupy tetrahedral sites surrounded by phosphorus anions.. Date latest changes:
DIY rat traps crafted from bottles offer practical benefits that outweigh commercial alternatives. Construction requires only inexpensive, readily available materials, reducing overall cost while providing a reusable solution for recurring infestations.. Date latest changes:
What to Do If a Rat Is Shivering?
When a rat exhibits trembling, ambient conditions often provide the initial clue. Temperature extremes, drafts, and humidity fluctuations can trigger involuntary shivering as the animal attempts to conserve heat. Poor ventilation may expose the rodent to cold air currents, while overly warm environments can cause rapid heat loss when the animal moves to cooler zones within the cage.. Date latest changes:
Rats infest vehicles primarily because they find edible material inside. Loose crumbs, leftover snacks, and spilled beverages create a reliable nutrient supply, encouraging rodents to enter and remain. Bread, pastries, and other bakery products left in the cabin or trunk.. Date latest changes: