Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2003

I have had 6 rats over the past few years now, each has acted differently -
they of course have had different personalities.  The way they interact with
other rats and me, the way they eat, the way they played and even down to
the way they slept.  Take 2 rats of the same colour, if you asked someone
off the street if they looked the same, the answer would be yes.  But then
ask their owners the same, and they will be able to tell them apart- why, as
they would have different personalities.

Cloning will become something which may happen in the future, and one day,
maybe, you could have a pet (or person) cloned.  I wouldn't.  What makes a
rat, or anything, special is there personality.  You can not clone this, the
result of the clone will be a rat which looks the same, it will not, and
never, act the same.

It will act based on how it is raised, or their environment, as a baby.  My
current 3 are all brothers, lived all there life together so you would think
they would be the same - but they all act differently.  Take feeding for
example, when they are out of the cage they may get a treat from me, one
will always sit on my lap and eat it.  The other 2 will take it, and run
from each other, when they are finished, they will run back for more.

So save your money on cloning, and go to your nearest pet shop and buy a rat
which looks the same as a rat you use to have.  It will be the same result
of a clone.

Enjoy the time you have with each rat, as unfortunately whatever
breakthrough in Science, you will never have another chance.

Graeme

While I don't agree with your assessment, I gotta admit, Ralph is sure a
cutie!