List of articles № 97

When Did Rats Appear on Earth

Rodents constitute the most diverse mammalian order, with the earliest members appearing in the Paleocene, roughly 60 million years ago. These primitive forms, such as Paramys, display dental characteristics that distinguish them from earlier multituberculates and mark the initial radiation of the clade.. Date latest changes:

What to do if a rat has a cold? Treatment advice

Sneezing and nasal discharge are common indicators of an upper‑respiratory infection in rats. The symptoms often appear together, with clear or slightly cloudy fluid draining from the nostrils and frequent, short bursts of sneezing. Persistent discharge may become thicker and yellow‑green, suggesting a bacterial complication.. Date latest changes:

How to train a rat to respond to its name

Effective socialization establishes a reliable connection between the animal and the handler, creating the foundation for name recognition. Begin each session in a quiet environment, allowing the rat to explore freely while the handler remains motionless.. Date latest changes:

Red Spots on a Rat's Tail: Causes and Treatment

Red lesions on a laboratory rat’s tail frequently signal dermatitis or localized skin irritation. The appearance of these spots may compromise animal welfare and affect experimental outcomes, so prompt identification and intervention are essential.. Date latest changes:

Repelling Sound for Rats and Mice: How to Turn It On Online for Free

Ultrasonic frequencies exceed the upper limit of human hearing, typically above 20 kHz. Rodents detect sounds up to 80–100 kHz, allowing targeted emission that remains inaudible to occupants while influencing pest behavior. Generation relies on piezoelectric transducers or electro‑static speakers driven by oscillators that produce stable waveforms at precise frequencies.. Date latest changes:

Why Does a Domestic Rat Have a Nosebleed: Causes and Treatment

When a pet rat appears to bleed from the nose, the first step is to confirm whether the discharge is genuine blood or a porphyrin secretion. Porphyrins are reddish‑brown fluids produced by the Harderian gland and by the lacrimal system; they can be mistaken for hemorrhage because they darken when exposed to air.. Date latest changes:

Secrets of the Gray Mouse: Interesting Facts About the Species

The gray mouse belongs to the order Rodentia, family Muridae, and is classified under the genus  Apodemus . Its accepted scientific name is « Apodemus grisus », a designation established by the original describer in the early twentieth century.. Date latest changes:

Why mice love beetroot and how to use it

Beetroot’s nutrient composition aligns closely with the dietary requirements of laboratory mice, explaining their strong preference for this root vegetable. The vegetable supplies a range of essential micronutrients that support growth, metabolism, and physiological functions.. Date latest changes:

Can Mice Be Given Cheese? Pros and Cons

The link between rodents and dairy dates back to antiquity, when agricultural societies observed mice entering granaries that stored cheese. Early records from Mesopotamia describe pest control measures aimed at protecting cheese stores, establishing a practical association between the two.. Date latest changes:

What Mouse Droppings Look Like

Mouse feces are typically narrow, elongated pellets with a slightly pointed front and a rounded rear. The profile is flat on one side and convex on the other, giving a lens‑like cross‑section. Typical dimensions fall within a narrow range:. Date latest changes:

Mice and rabies: myths and reality

Rabies virus (Rabies lyssavirus) is a single‑stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae. The virion is enveloped, bullet‑shaped, and carries five structural proteins that mediate entry, replication, and immune evasion. After peripheral inoculation, the virus travels retrogradely within peripheral nerves to the central nervous system, where it replicates extensively and induces the clinical syndrome known as rabies.. Date latest changes:

Why Mice Appear in Apartments

Rodents seek refuge in residential units when outdoor temperatures drop below comfortable levels. Gaps around windows, doors, and utility penetrations allow cold air to enter, creating drafts that reduce interior warmth and push mice to look for insulated spaces.. Date latest changes:

Blind Mice in Fairy Tales: Who Are They?

The rhyme “Three Blind Mice” first appeared in a 19th‑century English nursery collection, attributed to poet Thomas Ravenscroft. Its structure—three successive lines describing the mice’s misfortune—mirrors the balladic tradition of oral storytelling, where repetitive phrasing aids memorization.. Date latest changes:

Why mice and rats are needed in the ecosystem

Mice and rats occupy the primary consumer tier, directly converting plant matter into animal tissue. Their consumption of seeds, grasses, tubers, and insects transfers energy from producers to higher trophic levels. Typical diet components include:. Date latest changes:

Scents that repel mice and rats

Mice and rats possess a highly developed olfactory apparatus, with up to 1,200 functional odorant receptors in the mouse genome and a comparable repertoire in rats. Each receptor binds specific molecular features, allowing discrimination of volatile compounds at parts‑per‑billion concentrations.. Date latest changes:

Mice with Long Noses: Unusual Species and Their Features

The group of murine rodents characterized by markedly extended rostrums exhibits a suite of distinctive anatomical traits that separate them from typical mouse species. Skull morphology reflects the elongated snout. The premaxillary bones project forward, creating a narrow, tapered muzzle.. Date latest changes:

Effective Ways to Eliminate Mice and Rats in a Cellar

Rodent excrement and urine present immediate health hazards and signal ongoing infestation in a cellar. Fresh droppings appear as small, dark pellets; older deposits turn gray and crumble. Urine stains often manifest as yellowish discoloration on walls, floors, or stored items, sometimes accompanied by a pungent odor.. Date latest changes:

How Rats Breathe with Lateral Movements

Rats employ a breathing strategy that diverges from the typical thoracic expansion observed in many mammals. Lateral displacement of the rib cage generates airflow without relying solely on diaphragmatic contraction. This approach enables rapid adjustments in ventilation during high‑intensity activities such as escape responses or climbing.. Date latest changes:

A Dream About a Rat That Bit: Interpretation

Rats frequently appear in nocturnal narratives as symbols of concealed aspects of the psyche. Their presence often signals underlying concerns that require attention. Typical meanings attributed to rats in dreams include: Indicator of anxiety or fear related to loss of control.. Date latest changes:

Rat in Store: How to Prevent Rodent Entry

Rodent intrusion in retail environments introduces direct health hazards that compromise product safety and consumer protection. Rats and mice carry pathogens capable of causing severe foodborne illnesses. Contamination occurs when droppings, urine, or hair contact food items, packaging, or processing equipment, creating vectors for bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents.. Date latest changes:

Can Rats Be Fed Raisins?

Raisins contain a range of micronutrients that affect rodent health. The primary vitamins present are vitamin C, several B‑complex vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine), and small amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant, protecting cellular structures from oxidative damage.. Date latest changes:

Glue Rat Trap: Simple Instructions

Glue traps are flat platforms coated with a strong, non‑drying adhesive designed to immobilize rodents upon contact. The adhesive remains tacky for weeks, allowing a single trap to capture multiple animals without the need for resetting. The traps consist of:. Date latest changes:

What Do Small Rats Eat?

A proper diet is essential for the growth and survival of juvenile rats. Their rapid development demands a precise balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Insufficient protein limits muscle formation, while inadequate calcium and phosphorus impair skeletal maturation.. Date latest changes:

Mouse or Rat: How to Distinguish Correctly

Accurate identification of small rodents is essential for scientific research, public health initiatives, and pest‑management programs. Mice and rats belong to the same family but differ markedly in taxonomy, morphology, and ecology. Both groups are classified as follows:. Date latest changes:

Normal Body Temperature in Rats

Normal body temperature refers to the stable core temperature maintained by a healthy adult rat when environmental conditions are controlled and the animal is at rest. This physiological set point reflects the balance between metabolic heat production and heat loss mechanisms.. Date latest changes:

How to Treat a Tumor in a Rat's Lower Abdomen

Benign tumors in the lower abdomen of rats consist of well‑differentiated cells, exhibit slow growth, and remain confined to the tissue of origin. They lack invasive fronts, do not metastasize, and often display a capsule separating them from surrounding structures.. Date latest changes:

How Long Can Rats Live?

Wild rats face a range of environmental pressures that directly influence their average lifespan. Predation, disease exposure, food availability, and habitat quality combine to create a survival landscape markedly different from that of domesticated or laboratory specimens.. Date latest changes:

Why a Rat Drinks a Lot of Water: Possible Reasons

Rats typically consume 10–30 ml of water per 100 g of body weight each day. Consumption varies with age, sex, strain, ambient temperature, and diet composition. Laboratory‑bred adults on standard chow average about 15 ml/100 g, while juveniles may reach 20 ml/100 g due to higher metabolic rates.. Date latest changes:

Comparison of Common Rats and Dumbo Rats

Common rats belong primarily to two species: the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) and the black rat ( Rattus rattus ). Both species are members of the Muridae family, exhibit high adaptability, and have established global populations through commensal relationships with humans.. Date latest changes:

At what age can a rat become pregnant?

Female rats reach sexual maturity at approximately five to six weeks of age. The first estrus, marking the onset of puberty, typically occurs between 35 and 42 days after birth. Once this stage is reached, females can conceive if exposed to a fertile male.. Date latest changes:

The most effective way to fight rats

Droppings and urine trails provide the most reliable indicators of rat activity. Their presence confirms infestation, reveals movement patterns, and helps locate nesting sites. Fresh fecal pellets are dark, cylindrical, and approximately 1 cm long.. Date latest changes:

How to Get Rid of Rats in a Building Entrance: Proven Methods

Droppings and urine trails provide the most reliable evidence of rat activity at a building entrance. Their presence confirms infestation, indicates entry points, and helps prioritize control measures. Typical characteristics include: Dark, pellet‑shaped feces, ½ inch long, found along walls, beneath doors, and near food sources.. Date latest changes:

Where to Buy an Ultrasonic Repeller for Rats and Mice: Options Overview

Ultrasonic repellers emit sound waves above 20 kHz, a range inaudible to humans but detectable by rodents. Rats and mice possess auditory receptors tuned to frequencies between 1 kHz and 80 kHz, with peak sensitivity around 30–50 kHz. When a device produces a continuous or pulsed signal within this band, the animal’s nervous system interprets the stimulus as a potential threat, prompting avoidance behavior.. Date latest changes:

Rat Allergy: Symptoms and Relief Methods

Rat allergy is an immune system response triggered by proteins found in rat urine, saliva, dander, and skin flakes. When a sensitized individual inhales or contacts these proteins, the body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that recognize the allergens as harmful.. Date latest changes:

How Mice Sleep: Rodent Sleep Patterns

Light exposure profoundly shapes mouse activity cycles. During the dark phase, mice exhibit heightened locomotion, foraging, and grooming, reflecting their intrinsic nocturnal drive. In contrast, the light phase suppresses these behaviors, promoting periods of quiescence that align with the onset of sleep.. Date latest changes:

Mice as natural prey of owls: predator biology

Rodent–owl dynamics exemplify a keystone interaction in many temperate ecosystems. Small mammals serve as the primary energy source for nocturnal raptors, linking primary production to higher trophic levels. When rodent abundance fluctuates, owl reproductive output, hunting behavior, and territorial distribution adjust correspondingly, creating cascading effects on prey communities, vegetation, and nutrient cycling.. Date latest changes:

Can Mice Eat Cucumbers? Exploring Their Diet

Mice readily accept grains, seeds, and nuts as staple components of their diet, providing essential carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that support growth and reproduction. These food groups also influence how readily a mouse will incorporate less familiar items, such as cucumber, into its intake.. Date latest changes:

Herbivore or Carnivore: What Mice Eat

Mice require a diet that supplies sufficient energy, growth factors, and physiological maintenance. Their small body size and high metabolic rate demand continuous intake of nutrients. Key macronutrients include: Protein — essential for tissue repair and enzyme synthesis;. Date latest changes:

How to properly use mouse glue

Mouse glue is a specialized adhesive designed for rodent control. Its effectiveness depends on the chemical composition and physical properties of the formulation. The primary ingredients include a polymer matrix, plasticizers, tackifiers, and a fragrance deterrent.. Date latest changes:

What to Do When a Mouse Invades Your Home

Mouse droppings are a clear sign of infestation and a health hazard. The pellets are typically 1‑3 mm long, dark brown to black, and found along walls, behind appliances, in cupboards, and near food sources. Their presence indicates active foraging and possible nesting sites.. Date latest changes: