Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / July 2004

Canadian zoologists David Wilson and James Hare of the University of
Manitoba have published their findings in the newest issue of NATURE, for
their study of the Richardson squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii).
These squirrels make a number of audible vocalizations, but also have a

Well, I've known about the existence of this rather smelly fruit for a
few years, and couldn't bring myself to spend such a large sum on
something I might hate.
Today, I found "Durian Cake" in our local oriental store - it's Durian

Can someone suggest some sites or print literature that provide
information on rats as pets in the past or in other, non-Western
cultures?  I'm particularly interested in societies in which pet rats
were no less common--perhaps even more common!--than dogs and cats.

About ten days ago, after researching pet mice and rats, I adopted two
rats from a woman who rescues rats.  They were both bucks, 3 months
old, from the same litter.  They were incredibly cute (of course!),
and I loved holding them, letting them crawl over me, and just

I'm looking to purchase a pet rat (I've had 8 and counting). I'm
located in the San Francisco Bay Area (specifically, Los Altos) and
have not had any luck at any local pet stores in my area.
Anyone know of any local sources for pet rats? I'm looking for a young

I have suffered from a mental illness for many years now mainly
resulting in depression. since i have had my five babies (not so baby
anymore) they have helped me keep going everyday and i wonder where i
would be with out them. apart from my husband they are the best thing

Hi I gave my rats some veggies today, that came from the fridge. One of them
after eating began to develop what sounded like hiccups. It went on for
ages, he was ok, going round the cage, cleaning himself, he drank some
water. Do rats get hiccups? If not what could this have been? ...

"Was Atkins Right? New Study Provides Support For Those Who Advocate A
High Protein Diet For Weight Loss And Better Health"
"A long-term high-protein diet markedly reduces adipose tissue without
major side-effects in Wistar male rats" by Magali Lacroix et al

We have two boy rats. One Black and White, Loves to be naughty and run about all over the place. The other is blonde, Red eye, sways alot but is so loving when he gets to know you. In fact he is sitting here with me now, chattering away.
But Huston I think we have a problem, the ...

Well, I have had my 2 boys now for almost 6 months, (they are now about 8 or
9 months old - they were rescue rats, so I'm not altogether sure of their
age) I love them to bits. Even though they are real friendly little boys,
can I get them to sit still for more than a second or so. ...

I went to view the newsgroups today and I have lost you all.
I can't get any newsgroups at all in July and I can only view messages from
you lot on 01 and 02 June. Are you still there or have I got a problem with
my group settings.

I just posted some new photos of our ratties at:
http://www.heilmanart.com/ratties
- Hans

Is it just me or do rats like the smell of weed? Whenever I toke up my
rat would come sniffing around and watches me. Do they get high?

Our Rats have an odd odour, I think it is actually them rather the theer
cages, the brown one smells the strongest, he tends to be more jumpy also
then the black whiet one, still having fun with them though.
Also while I am here , my 6 year old wants to know what trick we can teach

Once again GMRS has struck! As usual I had no intentions of even looking at
rats, but a couple of hours ago, I was told there was a long wait at the
chemists, so I thought I'd just pop in the pet shop a couple of doors down
and get a new water bottle. Once inside I saw some ...