How can you make a rat's paw print? - briefly
Press a rat's hind foot onto non‑dry ink, then transfer it onto paper or soft clay to obtain a clear imprint.
How can you make a rat's paw print? - in detail
Creating a rat paw imprint requires a calm animal, suitable medium, and careful handling.
Select a non‑toxic, quick‑setting material such as silicone molding compound, dental alginate, or low‑odor clay. Prepare the medium according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring a thickness of approximately 5 mm when poured into a shallow tray.
Place the rat on a clean, flat surface. Gently restrain the animal by holding the tail and supporting the hind limbs with a soft towel, avoiding pressure on the paws. Apply a thin layer of powdered talc or cornstarch to the foot pads; this prevents the medium from adhering to the fur and facilitates a clean transfer.
Press the animal’s hind paw lightly into the prepared medium, maintaining contact for 2–3 seconds. Release the paw and allow the material to cure for the recommended time, typically 5–10 minutes for silicone or alginate.
After curing, demold the imprint by flexing the surrounding material. Rinse the cast with warm water to remove residual talc, then dry gently with a lint‑free cloth.
For permanent preservation, pour a casting resin or plaster into the negative mold, following the same curing guidelines. The resulting positive replica displays the detailed contour of the rat’s foot pads, suitable for scientific documentation or educational displays.