Rats

Rats are very intelligent creatures. They are in the group of mammals, but they do belong in the rodent family. There are many variations of them such as wild, pet, size, and many other characteristics. The most common rats to human are black, and brown rats, but there are about 56 different kinds of rats. Rats could live almost anywhere in the world. They are good at adapting to there environment. One interesting fact is that there can be almost as many rats as there are as humans. Many humans hate rats because they trash there homes. Rats could eat furniture, and could have an infestation of rats. Many people don't know the difference between a rat and mouse, but there are many differences. Wild rats usually have darker hair than pet rats.  Rats have pointed snouts, they have hairless feet, tails, and rats are usually bigger than mice.  They are still very similar to mice, but have some different qualities. Rats eat plants and animals so it means that they are omnivores. They nest where you can find a good supply of food and water. Rats have VERY short lifespan it is about only ONE YEAR! A female rat could reproduce about twenty youngsters. If you ever find a wild rat in the wilderness I suggest that you stay away from them, because they are aggressive. They usually stay in large groups for protection, or get the resources they need faster. Rats have a common predator and they are snakes.

     House Rats:

The most common household rat is brown, black, and giant pouched rats. You can tame rats to do certain behaviors, and they can be very friendly.  Pet rats are very intelligent and bond with their human just like dogs do to their companions. Daily house rats that live in houses will search food in your house.

     Rats Are Disliked:

 Many rats are disliked by humans because they can damage your household. These unwanted guest that some people don't want could be very harmful. The rats could chew on your furniture, and some rats live in colonies which mean that they don't live by themselves. They live with there families and protect and feed each other. That is why many rats are killed in homes.

     What do Rats Eat?

     Rats eat varieties of food because they are omnivores, but they would rather eat grain, livestock feed, and meat. Rats do eat almost everything. Rats are called scavengers. Scavengers mean that they look for food and eat whatever they find that is eatable. That is why rat get poisoned by food. Also that is why rats get diseases and other kind of bad stuff. The diseases from rats and stuff could inflict on us by causing us to have the disease too. In Europe the rats had killed more than half the population in Europe, because of a disease called Bubonic Plague. The Bubonic Plague was created by rats eating food in sewers and other dirty, nasty places, but it was then spreaded by flies sucking rat's blood that then sucks on human's blood and makes people get sick and get the disease that rat have.

Rats are very intellegent. They could learn tricks, and they are good companions just like dogs are man's best friend.

Links to more information about rats

Useful Information About Rats-February 19th-East Borugh Council-http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/ebc-2082

Wikipedia-February 11th-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat

Wild Rats-February 19th-Rachna Gupta-http://www.buzzle.com/articles/wild-rats.html