Animal of the Month

1. Rats are beautiful, clever and fascinating animals.


2. Like humans, rats are able to make their homes and find food all over the world.


3. It is a myth that rats carried bubonic plague - the disease was spread by fleas, who lived on many animals, including rats.


4. Rats need companionship and like to live in groups. Rats should never be kept on their own.


5. The most common rat in the wild is the brown rat. Brown rats arrived in Britain from Asia in the 18th century when they stowed away on ships.


6. Rats live an average of three years.


7. Rats are basically nocturnal but can sometimes be found awake during the day too.


8. A group of rats is called a “mischief.”


9. Millions of rats are killed in laboratories around the world every year. Cosmetics, household substances and drugs are given to them in such high doses that they die from poisoning, often in terrible pain.


10. Rats are inquisitive, lively and playful. Rats kept as animal companions need plenty of room to run, climb and play as well as safe items to chew and materials to make into bedding.