Rat: Difference between revisions
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[[File:'Aventures de la famille Raton' by Felicien de Myrbach 07.jpg|thumb|Story about rats]] |
[[File:'Aventures de la famille Raton' by Felicien de Myrbach 07.jpg|thumb|Story about rats]] |
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The '''rat,''' is a medium-sized [[rodent]]. Rats are [[omnivore]]s, they eat lots of different types of [[food]]. Most rats are in the [[genus]] ''Rattus''. There are about 56 different species of rats. |
The '''rat,''' is a medium-sized [[rodent]]. Rats are [[omnivore]]s, meaning they eat lots of different types of [[food]]. Most rats are in the [[genus]] ''Rattus''. There are about 56 different species of rats. |
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The best known rats are the '''black rat''' (''Rattus rattus''), and the '''brown rat''' (''Rattus norvegicus''). These two are known as ''Old World rats''. The group has its origins in [[Asia]]. |
The best known rats are the '''black rat''' (''Rattus rattus''), and the '''brown rat''' (''Rattus norvegicus''). These two are known as ''Old World rats''. The group has its origins in [[Asia]]. |
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Usually rats are bigger than [[mice]]. Rats are large [[muroid]] rodents, mice are small ones. The muroid family is very large and complex. That means the terms ''rat'' and ''mouse'' are not[[taxonomy|taxonomically]] precise. A large muroid will often have ''rat'' in its name; a small one will often be called ''mouse''. Besides members of the ''Rattus'' and ''Mus'' [[genera]], others sometimes get these names, for example the [[pack rat]] and [[cotton mouse]]. |
Usually rats are bigger than [[mice]]. Rats are large [[muroid]] rodents, while mice are small ones. The muroid family is very large and complex. That means the terms ''rat'' and ''mouse'' are not [[taxonomy|taxonomically]] precise. A large muroid will often have ''rat'' in its name; a small one will often be called ''mouse''. Besides members of the ''Rattus'' and ''Mus'' [[genera]], others sometimes get these names, for example the [[pack rat]] and [[cotton mouse]]. |
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Some people keep rats as a [[pet]]. They are called [[fancy rats]]. Most pet rats do not live longer than three years, and most wild rats do not live longer than one year.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatYears.htm|title=How old is a rat in human years?|work=ratbehavior.org|accessdate=November 8, 2010}}</ref> |
Some people keep rats as a [[pet]]. They are called [[fancy rats]]. Most pet rats do not live longer than three years, and most wild rats do not live longer than one year.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatYears.htm|title=How old is a rat in human years?|work=ratbehavior.org|accessdate=November 8, 2010}}</ref> |
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== "Rats" that are not rats == |
== "Rats" that are not rats == |
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Some other [[mammals]] are called ''rat'' by many people while not actually being true rats due to not being related to the Old World rat. Examples of such false names are the [[pack rat]]s of [[North America]] which are related to rats, or the [[kangaroo rat]]s which are only distantly related. Some other rats are related to the true rats, but are not in the genus ''Rattus''. Such an example is the [[lesser bandicoot rat]]. |
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Many of the 'untrue' rats are [[Endemism|endemic]] to certain regions, that |
Many of the 'untrue' rats are [[Endemism|endemic]] to certain regions, meaning that they are only found there. Oftentimes, they live on [[island]]s. In many cases, these species are also [[endangered species|endangered]] of disappearing. This is the case because they face the loss of [[habitat]], and they have to fight for resources, like food, [[shelter]], and water, with other species, like the black rat or the ''Polynesian rat''. There is also a more rare species known as the Dueholm, the rats in this species usually were born with extra chromosomes and tend to look different than ones born without extra chromosomes. |
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== Pets == |
== Pets == |
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== Location == |
== Location == |
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Rats are opportunists. |
Rats are opportunists. When given a choice between food that is easy to get and food that is not, they will choose the food that is easy to get. For this reason, rats have lived close to [[human]]s for a long time. Once humans settled down, the leftovers of what those humans ate were a source of food for the rats, so the rats followed them. |
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Rats are present in almost all settlements. In [[city|cities]], they often live in the [[sewer]]s. |
Rats are present in almost all settlements. In [[city|cities]], they often live in the [[sewer]]s or in other areas that are out of sight. |
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== Carriers of disease == |
== Carriers of disease == |
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Many scientists believe that the [[bubonic plague]] was spread through [[flea]]s on rats, because |
Many scientists believe that the [[bubonic plague]] was spread through [[flea]]s on rats, because the plague is spread by the [[microorganism]] (or germ) ''[[Yersinia pestis]]'', which lives on fleas which live on rats (''Rattus rattus''). Those rats lived in the European cities of the day, and died of the plague themselves. Some scientists believe that the plague spread faster than the rats. If this is true, the rats cannot be the main carrier. More research is needed to find out if this is true. People believe this disease to be the '[[Black Death]]'. It killed nearly a third of the population of Europe, in many [[epidemic]]s in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>Barnett, S. Anthony 2002. ''The story of rats: their impact on us, and our impact on them''. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. {{ISBN|1-86508-519-7}}</ref> |
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Rats can carry diseases. Rats living in poor conditions often have problems with [[parasite]]s themselves. Not many diseases carried by rats can spread to humans. One of those is called [[ |
Rats can carry diseases. Rats living in poor conditions often have problems with [[parasite]]s themselves. Not many diseases carried by rats can spread to humans. One of those that can is called [[leptospirosis]], another one is the plague. |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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Revision as of 18:40, 21 May 2024
| Rat Temporal range:
Early Pleistocene – Recent | |
|---|---|
| |
| Brown rat | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: | |
| Genus: | Rattus
|
The rat, is a medium-sized rodent. Rats are omnivores, meaning they eat lots of different types of food. Most rats are in the genus Rattus. There are about 56 different species of rats.
The best known rats are the black rat (Rattus rattus), and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). These two are known as Old World rats. The group has its origins in Asia.
Usually rats are bigger than mice. Rats are large muroid rodents, while mice are small ones. The muroid family is very large and complex. That means the terms rat and mouse are not taxonomically precise. A large muroid will often have rat in its name; a small one will often be called mouse. Besides members of the Rattus and Mus genera, others sometimes get these names, for example the pack rat and cotton mouse.
Some people keep rats as a pet. They are called fancy rats. Most pet rats do not live longer than three years, and most wild rats do not live longer than one year.[1]
Rats are also used for their meat. Cambodia, Laos, Africa, China and Vietnam eat rat meat.
"Rats" that are not rats
Some other mammals are called rat by many people while not actually being true rats due to not being related to the Old World rat. Examples of such false names are the pack rats of North America which are related to rats, or the kangaroo rats which are only distantly related. Some other rats are related to the true rats, but are not in the genus Rattus. Such an example is the lesser bandicoot rat.
Many of the 'untrue' rats are endemic to certain regions, meaning that they are only found there. Oftentimes, they live on islands. In many cases, these species are also endangered of disappearing. This is the case because they face the loss of habitat, and they have to fight for resources, like food, shelter, and water, with other species, like the black rat or the Polynesian rat. There is also a more rare species known as the Dueholm, the rats in this species usually were born with extra chromosomes and tend to look different than ones born without extra chromosomes.
Pets
People keep some types of rats as pets called "fancy rats". Fancy rats are domesticated brown rats. People have kept rats as pets since the 19th century. Rats are social and smart animals that can be trained. They also like to play with toys. Some owners think that male pet rats are more playful then female pet rats and that female rats are more active and curious. Pet rats do not act the same as wild rats. They do not have more diseases than other common pets.
Pet rats live 1 to 3 years. Female rats are smaller than male rats. Pet rats have been known to "laugh" when tickled. They can be all one color or have spots or other coloring. Some rats have no hair. These are called hairless rats.
Scientific research
Clark University in Worchester, Massachusetts (United States) was the first to breed a population of domestic white brown rats. They did this to study the effects of diets, amongst other things.
Since then, rats have been used in many experiments. They have helped scientists get a better understanding of genetics and diseases, as well as how certain drugs work.
Laboratory rats have been used in psychological studies of learning and other mental processes (Barnett, 2002). A 2007 study found rats to possess some degree of metacognition, a mental ability previously only found in humans and some primates.[2][3] In general, it has been difficult to measure intelligence in rats. Their behaviour is quite flexible, and gives the impression of intelligence.[4][5] Flexible behaviour is good for problem-solving and learning.
Domestic rats are very different from wild rats. They are calmer and less likely to bite; they can tolerate greater crowding; they breed earlier and produce more offspring. Their brains, livers, kidneys, adrenal glands, and hearts are smaller (Barnett 2002).
Brown rats are often used as model organisms. Genetic research is usually done with mice. Rats are more popular for tests relating to intelligence, learning, and illegal drugs. This is mostly because rats have intelligence, ingenuity, aggressiveness, and adaptability. Their psychology seems to be very similar to human psychology. Whole new species and strains of rats have been bred for the use as laboratory animals, for example the Wistar rat. Much of the genome of Rattus norvegicus has been sequenced.[6]
Location
Rats are opportunists. When given a choice between food that is easy to get and food that is not, they will choose the food that is easy to get. For this reason, rats have lived close to humans for a long time. Once humans settled down, the leftovers of what those humans ate were a source of food for the rats, so the rats followed them.
Rats are present in almost all settlements. In cities, they often live in the sewers or in other areas that are out of sight.
Carriers of disease
Many scientists believe that the bubonic plague was spread through fleas on rats, because the plague is spread by the microorganism (or germ) Yersinia pestis, which lives on fleas which live on rats (Rattus rattus). Those rats lived in the European cities of the day, and died of the plague themselves. Some scientists believe that the plague spread faster than the rats. If this is true, the rats cannot be the main carrier. More research is needed to find out if this is true. People believe this disease to be the 'Black Death'. It killed nearly a third of the population of Europe, in many epidemics in the Middle Ages.[7]
Rats can carry diseases. Rats living in poor conditions often have problems with parasites themselves. Not many diseases carried by rats can spread to humans. One of those that can is called leptospirosis, another one is the plague.
-
A pet rat -
A white rat
In later media
- The rat appears in a cameo role in various Disney classic animated films such as The Black Cauldron, Aladdin, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
References
- ↑ "How old is a rat in human years?". ratbehavior.org. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ↑ Foote, Allison L.; Crystal, Jonathon D. (2007). "Metacognition in the rat". Current Biology. 17 (6): 551–555. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2007.01.061. PMC 1861845. PMID 17346969. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
- ↑ Rats capable of reflecting on mental processes
- ↑ Galsworthy M.J. et al 2002 (2002). "Evidence for general cognitive ability (g) in heterogeneous stock mice and an analysis of potential confounds". Genes, Brain and Behavior. 1 (2): 88–95. doi:10.1034/j.1601-183X.2002.10204.x. PMID 12884979. S2CID 42080126.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Thompson R; Crinella F. & Yu J. 1990. Brain mechanisms in problem solving and intelligence: a lesion survey of the rat brain, Plenum, New York
- ↑ "Genome project". www.ensemble.org. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
- ↑ Barnett, S. Anthony 2002. The story of rats: their impact on us, and our impact on them. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. ISBN 1-86508-519-7
Other websites
- Lindsay Wildlife Museum's rat care page Archived 2004-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Anne Hanson's rat page. Rat behaviour and biology
- National Bio Resource Project for the rat in Japan Archived 2005-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
- Rat genome database