{"id":4225,"date":"2014-10-01T03:33:13","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T03:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=4225"},"modified":"2021-11-07T09:36:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-07T15:36:05","slug":"basic-information-for-rats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-rats\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Rat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rat (Rattus norvegicus<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nThe Norwegian or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus<\/em>) is originally from Asia where it lived in burrows on the plains of northern China and Mongolia. The rat arrived in Europe in the early 18th century and had reached America by the late 18th century. The brown rat was the first species to be domesticated for scientific purposes.
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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Rodentia<\/em><\/p>\n

Suborder<\/strong>: Myomorpha<\/em> – gerbils, hamsters, mice<\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Muridae<\/em> – The largest and most diverse family of mammals including Old World rats and mice, gerbils<\/p>\n

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Breeds<\/h2>\n

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\nA variety of breeds, colors, and markings are recognized.
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Diet<\/h2>\n

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\nRats are omnivores. The bulk of the diet should consist of a rodent block or pellet containing a minimum 16% crude protein and 4-5% fat.
\nSeed-based diets promote obesity and should be avoided. Longevity is increased by feeding a low fat, vegetable protein-based diet.
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Husbandry<\/h2>\n

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\nRats are social creatures, although females are more likely to fight.<\/p>\n

Rats are also primarily nocturnal, but they will have cycles of activity during the day and night. Avoid bright lighting in albino rats.<\/p>\n

Adult brown rats tolerate cold well when allowed to acclimate.<\/p>\n

Provide rats with items and materials for burrowing, climbing, and chewing.
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Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Temperature<\/td>\n99.9\u00b0F<\/td>\n37.7\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulse<\/td>\n300-500 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiration<\/td>\n70-150 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body weight<\/td>\nAdult male<\/td>\n267-500 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nAdult female<\/td>\n225-325 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mean life span<\/td>\n2.5-3.5y<\/td>\nFemale rats typically live longer.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual maturity<\/td>\n37-75 days<\/td>\nPuberty occurs earlier in female rats.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestation<\/td>\n21-23 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Birth weight<\/td>\n5-6 g<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Litter size<\/td>\n6 to 13<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weaning age<\/td>\n21 days<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental temperature<\/td>\n50-68\u00b0F<\/td>\n18-26\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target environmental humidity<\/td>\n40-70%<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water intake<\/td>\n22-33 ml\/day<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Anatomy \/ physiology<\/h2>\n

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