Most of us know about these animals as living in ditches and drains, spoiling crops in barns, carriers of infections, and at the same time very smart. Those who are lucky enough to own such a pet at home, regardless of the breed, including gray ones, will unanimously say what a smart and funny animal it is. You will never be bored with him. Just before you get one, you should know that the opinion about the unpretentiousness of this animal is a myth. At home, it requires a lot of attention and care; people can often get sick, including cancer. Life expectancy directly depends on the conditions of detention.
Description and features of the white rat
In appearance, domestic white rats differ from wild ones in coat color, some character traits and habits. Their males weigh on average from 400 g to 650 g, the weight of females ranges from 300 g to 450 g.
Animals bred in captivity have a much calmer disposition than their wild counterparts and have a slightly larger body weight. Wild rats have much larger internal organs.
They also lead a more active lifestyle at night, while hiding in secluded places during the day. Domestic rats sleep at night and are awake only during the daytime.
These unique animals are divided into many subspecies, which depend on the colors and quality of the coat. Rats come in white, red, black, brown and gray with ruby, red and black eyes. Sometimes there are specimens with different eyes.
Thanks to the work of breeders, multi-colored representatives of domestic rats have recently appeared, in which white tones are combined with gray and beige. I would like to note that this is a pleasant sight.
The white rat in the photo shows all the tenderness and romance of the animal. With other colors it takes on a slightly different description. Becomes more expressive and interesting. In 1984, the first white rat was born without a tail. By our time, such individuals have acquired a special status and have been standardized.
These pets also differ in the shape of their ears. They can be rounded or pointed. Their fur can also be different. There are short-haired, curly, wavy and generally hairless rats.
White rats with red eyes are a bit of a rarity these days These are albino rats that have problems with the production of melanin, hence the color and eye color.
Albinos have serious problems with immunity, so their life is too short. They can please their owners from 1 to 1.5 years. Of course, it happens that with proper and careful care, albinos can live up to 3 years, but this happens in very rare cases.
These amazing animals do not emit any odors, as is the case with many other pets. Therefore, rats do not bring many problems and unpleasant moments in this regard.
Where did albino rats come from?
Pasyuk, an ordinary gray rat that everyone has seen at least once in their life, is the progenitor of the albino. The white rat appeared at the beginning of the last century, when it was bred in the laboratory in order to be used in scientific experiments. Albinos, which were crossed with pasyuki, gave rise to decorative rats.
White rats, which are used for experiments, are not a separate breed of animal. Only the color is different, and the breeds among them are different. Scientists deal with:
- crested capuchins;
- rodents with long hair;
- rodents with curly fur.
The red eyes of white animals look scary to many. The red color of the pupils is due to the lack of pigmentation in the rodent's eyes, which are essentially transparent. It turns out that the eye appears red due to the translucent blood vessels - what we see in the eyes of an animal is nothing more than blood.
As for the white color of the fur, the whole point is the absence of melanin in the blood - this is a high-molecular pigment that has an irregular structure and a complex chemical composition.
Character and lifestyle of the white rat
These funny decorative animals have their own manners and habits. It is very interesting to observe them, from which you can get many pleasant and funny moments.
Rats can get used to a set schedule in a matter of days. Young, newly acquired individuals can sleep during the day and stay awake at night. But over time, they adjust to the same rhythm of life as their owners and feel great about it.
These are fairly quiet creatures. They are too smart and have an enviable intellect. They are distinguished by excellent memory and ideal cleanliness, unlike other creatures similar to themselves.
Rats are easy to tame. The older they get, the more sentimental they become. They can climb onto their owner’s lap and allow them to endlessly stroke their back and behind their ears. Many owners of these animals claim that they cope with stress relief just as well as cats.
Many of the rats initially remember their name and always respond to it. If you work with them, rats are able to carry out some simple commands from their owner.
This is not a dog that needs constant walks. But the rat is happy to take a walk on his owner’s shoulder or go on a visit. The main thing is that it is not too cold outside.
They are not shy, but in a situation that is unfamiliar and incomprehensible to them, they prefer to hide in the pocket or under the collar of their owner. The animal can roam freely around the room. But do not forget about precautions and keep an eye on your pet.
These are social animals. The company of people and their own kind means a lot to them. They love to be caressed; they simply need it. Without certain activities, the animal can get bored, so they simply need various devices in the cage in the form of ladders and ropes.
If the owner has little free time left to communicate with his pet, then it is better to initially get two rats, which must be introduced immediately, otherwise conflicts are possible between them.
It is desirable that the rats be same-sex, otherwise, due to the high fertility of these individuals, you can quickly become the owner of a large rat family. Domestic rats resemble small children in their entire nature.
They, like babies, need constant attention and education. Much depends on a careful and attentive attitude towards them initially. So, as paradoxical as it may sound, a domestic rat needs education. the big white rat will behave
If the animal is well-fed and the owner spends a sufficient amount of time with it, it will be difficult to find a more affectionate, gentle and active creature at the same time. Otherwise, if they are mistreated, rats become angry, timid and biting.
How to extend the life of a decorative rat
The viability of a domestic rat depends primarily on genetics. This must be taken into account when purchasing: in a proven, reputable nursery, from a breeder or in a fan club. The animal must be properly raised and accustomed to interaction with humans.
For rats, as well as for purebred dogs and cats, a pedigree is provided. This is guaranteed to save the breeder from problems with genetic diseases of the newly acquired pet, early pregnancy (often buying a young female on the market, the animals are already pregnant).
At home, the lifespan of a pet depends entirely on the living conditions provided to it by the owner:
- It is necessary to carefully monitor the pet, recording any changes in habitual behavior, well-being, as well as appearance (the appearance of bald patches, sneezing, coughing, shaking the head from side to side, etc. are unfavorable signs);
- The rat needs to be provided with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals;
- The cage must be regularly cleaned of excrement and food debris and disinfected;
- To sharpen your teeth, you need to put a piece of chalk or a branch into the cage;
- The animal needs proper leisure: for this, the cage can be equipped with various toys.
By carefully caring for his pet, the owner can not only provide him with a decent and rich life within the time frame established by nature, and even extend it a little. There are often cases when decorative rats, with proper maintenance, live up to 3-3.5 years.
White Rat Habitat
This amazing animal will certainly feel comfortable and comfortable in its own house. You can use a metal cage with a special tray.
The pallet must be made of plastic to avoid possible unpleasant odors being absorbed into the wood. The tree can also spread infection.
It should be remembered that a cage for keeping a pet rat must be much larger than a cage for a hamster. The animal will feel most comfortable in a multi-story cage.
In it, it will be easier for the rat to lead an active lifestyle, as well as move in any direction. The animal does not like cramped spaces. It will be good if the height between floors is at least 20 cm.
There should be no sharp or protruding dangerous objects in the rat's house. It is better to put plastic or linoleum on the floor; they are easy and quick to clean, and on such a surface the animal will not be able to damage its paws.
It is imperative to ensure that the animal’s cage is not in a draft. Also, domestic rats, especially albinos, do not like direct sunlight. It will be nice and cozy for an animal in a cage standing on a table whose height is about 1 m.
Don't forget about hygiene. The rat's home must be cleaned daily. It is advisable to disinfect it once every 7 days. After this, the cage must be thoroughly washed and dried. Only then can an animal be placed in a cage without fear.
Reproduction and lifespan
Procreation in rats occurs easily and quickly. If they contain males and females in cages, then the offspring will not take long to arrive. Three to four month old females are already suitable for fertilization.
Males reach childbearing age a little later. Essentially, rats are ready to bear fruit from the age of 1.5 months, but at this age it is extremely undesirable to mate them.
In the photo there are baby white rats
Pregnancy in females lasts 20-26 days. It is noticeable already from 8 days. Usually 4-10 babies are born, but there are cases when a female rat brings 20 babies in one litter.
They are very tiny and defenseless. The weight of one baby is from 4 to 6 g. They are naked, blind and deaf. Only at 12-14 days do they begin to try solid food for the first time. And after a month they live on their own.
How long do white rats live? This question interests many. These animals do not belong to the category of long-livers and live on average about 3 years. Buying a white rat is not difficult.
These amazing decorative animals are sold in any specialized store. The person who decides to get a pet must clearly understand that he becomes responsible for it. And whether it’s a hamster, a dog, a parrot or another pet, these are all living creatures that love life.
White rat nutrition
This animal is omnivorous. But this does not mean that he can be fed everything that comes to hand. It is worth remembering that the rat has intelligence.
Therefore, you can offer her several food options, from which she will choose exactly what she likes and likes best. Rats have no sense of proportion. They love everything tastier and a lot. This should not be allowed; overfeeding the rat is undesirable.
With an established regime and diet, you don’t have to worry about the health and well-being of your pet. The animal's diet should consist of more grains. They are found in specialized feeds, cereals without oil, pasta, bread crusts and boiled corn.
The pet must receive vegetables and fruits; they contain a lot of vitamins and substances that are beneficial for him. A lot of protein is contraindicated for rats, so it will be enough for them to receive a small piece of boiled meat or cheese once every seven days.
Rats are quite delicate creatures; food for them should be clean and fresh. Under no circumstances should you feed your pet food straight from the refrigerator; food that is too cold can make your pet sick. Hunger strikes are contraindicated for animals. Without nutrition and food, rats barely survive 2 days.
Diseases of domestic rats
- Obesity. The most common problem among pet rodents. Their touching appearance and love for various delicacies provoke owners to constantly feed their pets from their table. This is strictly forbidden - human food, especially processed food, is contraindicated for rats.
- Mycoplasmosis. It belongs to the category of infectious diseases, which are almost impossible to identify in this animal at an early stage, as well as to cure them when the disease has already progressed. Infection passes through the air from a sick animal to a healthy animal. This disease is accompanied by the formation of multiple dropsy and abscesses on the animal’s lungs, from which it is unlikely to be saved.
- Tumors. There are benign and malignant. Considering the small size of this animal, few veterinarians will agree to such a delicate operation, because it is very difficult to determine whether the animal will be able to come to its senses and recover after the operation. Typically, animals with this diagnosis quietly live out their last days in the arms of their owners.
- Tuberculosis, scabies. If a decorative rat has fleas and worms, these diseases may well be transmitted to the owner of the animal. To prevent this from happening, you need to strictly monitor your pet’s hygiene and clean its cage on time.
What do rats eat?
Keeping a white rat involves providing the rodent with proper and nutritious nutrition. Feeding a rodent does not mean that it needs to be given everything that is in the refrigerator. Since this pet is characterized by developed intelligence, it is recommended to offer it several different foods, from which the rat will choose the appropriate one.
And the owner should not forget that this pet has no sense of proportion, so it is capable of consuming foods in excessive quantities. This situation should not be allowed, as overeating and other unpleasant consequences may occur.
Setting a clear diet and dividing food into portions will help keep your pet healthy. The white rat mainly eats cereals, which are part of store-bought food. You can also feed it pasta, boiled corn, bread crust, and porridge. When preparing porridge for rodents, you should not add oil of vegetable or animal origin to the dish.
Vegetables and fruits are considered an obligatory element of the white rat's menu. These products are sources of vitamins and nutrients.
A large amount of proteins is considered contraindicated for an albino. It will be enough to give your pet a piece of boiled meat or hard cheese once every 7 days.
This furry animal is a gentle creature with a special digestive system, so you should feed it only clean and fresh foods. Food from the refrigerator must be heated before serving to the animal.
The owner should develop a schedule for the white rat’s food intake and follow it. Hunger is contraindicated for an omnivorous rodent; without food it can live only 2 days.
