Rats are one of the most intelligent and truly amazing animals that appeared millions of years before humans. Today they are often kept in the apartment as pets. They have their own breeds, sizes, colors. The article will discuss such an extraordinary variety of these rodents as the blue rat.
Description
The blue rat is distinguished from the rest by a very interesting color. If you look closely, you can see that the undercoat is cast in a bluish color, which creates such an interesting color. The rodent's paws have the same color as the body, but the abdomen is of other shades - gray, white or silver.
In size and weight, the blue rat is no different from the rest. The average weight of the animal is approximately 500 grams, and the body length reaches 43 centimeters with the tail. The length of the tail is 15-25 centimeters. Individuals are considered to have reached the age of one and a half years, however, they are ready to breed from the age of five months.
Lifestyle and behavior
Decorative rats are distinguished by kindness and affection for their master. They like to explore the world and move outside the cage, often returning home on their own. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to be more careful, because rats are very fond of chewing and spoiling various interior items.
Tracking the rats is quite difficult, as they are very fast and active creatures. However, in general, these are very friendly and complaisant animals. It is also worth mentioning the fact that these rodents are one of the most intelligent. Because of this feature, experiments are carried out on rats in various laboratories. They respond perfectly to their nicknames and are easily trained in the simplest teams.
It is important to understand that a decorative rat is an outgoing animal, so you should buy several animals at once. If this is not possible, then it is necessary to communicate with the rodent as often as possible and let it out. The average daily norm of communication for a blue rat is considered to be at least one hour.
What to feed?
When compiling a diet for a decorative rat, one should take into account the fact that this animal is a rodent. Do not feed the animal with only one store food, as this type of food can lead to undesirable consequences. At least 60% of the diet should be fruits and vegetables. It is important that all products are well washed and finely chopped.
Rats can be given porridge. It is better if it is friable cereal, because the animal can easily choke on a viscous mass. As for meat products, it is quite allowed to give rats raw and boiled meat, but only occasionally. Offal such as the liver or stomachs will not interfere. It is also recommended to give egg white.
In the summer, you can pick up grass petals - dandelions or daisies. Walnuts or cedar nuts will also be useful.
Avoid fried, smoked, salted foods, various sweets and sausages. It is not recommended to give cheese, soy milk, radishes and beets.
It is very important to choose the right food for the rodent. The ideal mixture for any rat should have the following composition:
- barley;
- millet;
- oats.
When buying food, you must take into account the age of the rodent. For example, for younger rats, feeds with the most diverse composition are suitable, for older ones, with the most simple grain additives. It does not hurt to put a mineral stone in a cage with a pet - by gnawing it, the rat receives the calcium it needs. In general, feeding an animal is best 2 times a day.
Home Content
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a rat home is space. In no case should you keep the animal in a box, a jar and other small containers. A cage can be found in any pet store, buying ladders, hammocks, houses and other entertaining objects with it. Many enterprising owners build houses for rodents with their own hands.
Do not forget about the filler for the cell. Sawdust is best suited for this purpose, but paper can also be used. Cell harvesting should occur at least once a week. It is not worth neglecting this procedure, since it helps to rid the structure of various microorganisms harmful to the rodent.
How many live?
The life span of a blue rat is exactly the same as any other - 2 or 3 years. Centenarians among rodents are found, but extremely rarely. This factor can be affected by nutrition.
The rat will live longer if the diet is properly selected, and its products are clean and fresh. Do not overfeed or underfeed the rodent. This can provoke his obesity or degeneration.
Another important condition for a long life is activity. It was found that rats, spending most of the time in the cage, live half as much as their active relatives. Therefore, letting the rodent out of the cage should be as often as possible.
The sad fact is that rats are extremely prone to various diseases, including oncology. It is impossible to prevent the development of a tumor. Most rats die precisely because of malignant neoplasms. If the animal shows signs of a tumor, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. The specialist must prescribe a course of necessary medicines and treatment that can alleviate suffering or cure the animal.
The blue rat is a restless, but at the same time very friendly and affectionate animal. Like any other pet, it requires proper attention and care. Providing the rodent with proper care, you can significantly extend its life and make the animal truly happy.
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