When was a rat domesticated? - briefly
The first systematic breeding of the Norway rat for scientific research started in the early 1900s, with the white laboratory strain established by about 1910. Pet rat breeding became widespread in the mid‑20th century, gaining popularity in the 1970s.
When was a rat domesticated? - in detail
The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) first entered human care in the late 19th century when naturalists collected wild specimens for study. By the 1880s, researchers such as William Castle began breeding these animals in laboratory settings, selecting individuals that tolerated handling and reproduced reliably. This systematic breeding produced the first true laboratory strain, the “Albino” rat, which became the standard model for biomedical research by the early 1900s.
Domestic traits intensified through several deliberate actions:
- Selective breeding for tameness: Breeders isolated the least fearful individuals, mating them across generations to reduce flight response.
- Genetic fixation of coat color: Albino and other color mutants were propagated to simplify identification and experimental control.
- Standardized housing: Uniform cages, controlled diets, and regular handling further conditioned the animals to human presence.
The resulting laboratory population displayed reduced aggression, increased sociability, and predictable reproductive cycles—characteristics that distinguish them from their wild counterparts.
Pet ownership of rats emerged later. In the United Kingdom, the first documented pet‑rat clubs appeared in the 1970s, driven by enthusiasts who imported laboratory strains and cross‑bred them for temperament and aesthetic variety. The United States followed a similar pattern in the mid‑1970s, with hobbyist breeders establishing “fancy rat” lines that emphasized docility, coat patterns, and size.
Key milestones in the domestication process include:
- 1880s‑1900s: Initial capture and breeding for scientific use; establishment of laboratory strains.
- 1910‑1930: Wide adoption of the Albino rat in research; refinement of breeding protocols.
- 1950s‑1960s: Expansion of rat colonies worldwide; introduction of outbred stocks to preserve genetic diversity.
- 1970s: Emergence of the pet‑rat market; formation of breed standards and hobbyist societies.
- 1990s‑present: Genetic engineering of laboratory rats (e.g., knock‑out models) and continued refinement of pet‑rat phenotypes.
Overall, the transformation from wild brown rat to a domesticated animal occurred in two overlapping phases: scientific domestication achieved by the early 20th century and widespread companion‑animal domestication solidified by the 1970s.