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    Rodents

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    Blake Malveaux
    Rats are small rodents found worldwide that can carry diseases. There are several rat species, but the brown and black rats are most common near humans. Rats are nocturnal, intelligent, social animals that reproduce quickly. They can transmit diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis to humans. While often seen as pests, some pet rat breeds are popular domesticated pets.

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    Rodents

    Uploaded by

    Blake Malveaux
    30 views2 pages
    Rats are small rodents found worldwide that can carry diseases. There are several rat species, but the brown and black rats are most common near humans. Rats are nocturnal, intelligent, social animals that reproduce quickly. They can transmit diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis to humans. While often seen as pests, some pet rat breeds are popular domesticated pets.

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    Rats are small rodents found worldwide that can carry diseases. There are several rat species, but the brown and black rats are most common near humans. Rats are nocturnal, intelligent, social animals that reproduce quickly. They can transmit diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis to humans. While often seen as pests, some pet rat breeds are popular domesticated pets.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    30 views2 pages

    Rodents

    Uploaded by

    Blake Malveaux
    Rats are small rodents found worldwide that can carry diseases. There are several rat species, but the brown and black rats are most common near humans. Rats are nocturnal, intelligent, social animals that reproduce quickly. They can transmit diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis to humans. While often seen as pests, some pet rat breeds are popular domesticated pets.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Rats are small rodents that belong to the genus Rattus and are part of the

    larger family Muridae, which also includes mice. They are highly adaptable
    creatures found in various habitats worldwide, often living in close proximity
    to humans. Here are some key aspects of rats:

    1. Species: There are several species of rats, but the most common ones
    found around human populations are the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus),
    also known as the Norway rat, and the black rat (Rattus rattus).
    2. Physical Traits: Rats typically have long, hairless tails, pointed snouts,
    and large, rounded ears. Their fur color can vary, with brown rats being
    more common and black rats having a darker coat. They have sharp
    incisor teeth that continuously grow throughout their lives, necessitating
    constant gnawing to wear them down.
    3. Behavior: Rats are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active
    during the night. They are excellent climbers and can often be found in
    attics, ceilings, and wall voids. Rats are intelligent animals and can learn
    to navigate mazes and solve problems. They are social animals and live
    in groups called colonies.
    4. Diet: Rats are omnivorous, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods.
    They are known to be scavengers and will consume almost anything
    they find, including grains, fruits, vegetables, insects, and even garbage.
    5. Reproduction: Rats reproduce rapidly, with females capable of having
    multiple litters in a year. A single female rat can give birth to 6-12 pups
    per litter, and they can become sexually mature as early as five weeks
    old.
    6. Health Concerns: While rats serve as an essential part of the ecosystem,
    they can also pose health risks when living in close proximity to humans.
    They can carry and transmit diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus, and
    rat-bite fever. Additionally, rats can cause damage to property and food
    supplies due to their gnawing behavior.
    7. Control: Because of their ability to breed quickly and adapt to various
    environments, rat populations can become challenging to manage,
    especially in urban areas. Proper sanitation, securing food sources, and
    sealing entry points are essential in preventing rat infestations. If a rat
    infestation becomes a problem, professional pest control measures may
    be necessary to manage the population.
    It's worth noting that while rats are often associated with negative
    connotations due to their presence in urban areas and potential health risks,
    there are also pet rat species (domesticated rats) that are bred for
    companionship and kept as pets. These domestic rats are distinct from their
    wild counterparts and have been selectively bred for their friendly and social
    behaviors, making them beloved pets for many people.

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