Wonderful World Of Rats

Update and Ratville city

2008-07-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry i haven't been posting here. But, i plan on starting again today. I took a small break from all my blogs just so i could come back to it revitalized and refreshed. So check back.

I found this cute little website where you make a sim-like city (not nearly as advanced as the sim games but cute). The city grows each time someone goes to the link/website. I'm trying to get the city to grow just to see how it turns out.

Here is the link below. Please visit it-- if you like :)

http://ratville-usa.myminicity.com/

-Rebecca

New Template

2008-06-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

I found this gorgeous template and thought it would be perfect for this blog. Well... it looks wonderful but something doesn't quite work within the posts. There is to much space in between paragraphs. And i did try to shorten the space between paragraphs but it didn't help and i got as close between each paragraph as i could.

Everything is just way to spaced out. So, I don't know if I'll keep this template. It's to bad because it's very pretty.

We'll see how the next few posts go and than I'll decide.

Rebecca

4 Rats at West Los Angeles Shelter need a home

2008-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of getting myself an early b-day present-- a Guinea Pig (Still thinking about it, haven't decided yet), so I wanted to check my local shelter to see if there were any GP's for adoption, they didn't have any GP's but they do have 4 rats (actually more than 4) who really need homes, along with TONS of rabbits and hamsters. But, this post is about the rats.

There are actually more than 4 rats but it appears they give one ID to a group of rats with the same coloring and who look the same. Like say they have 4 PEWS, all 4 PEWS get one ID and say they have 2 Black Hoodeds, Both Hoodies get the same ID. You can tell from the pictures there are more than 4 rats.

1) Unaltered Male, White rat-domestic
Age Unknown
Has been at shelter since May 27th, 2008
Pet ID Number A0950993
Link: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_wla.htm

(Looks like the rat in the background may be a rex)

2) No information on the sex of rat- White domestic rat
(looks like a Himmie to me)
Age unknown
Has been at the shelter since May 27th, 2008
Pet ID # A0950995
Link: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_wla.htm

3) Unaltered male, White rat-domestic. This one also looks more like a Himmie.
Age unknown
Has been at shelter since May 27th, 2008
Pet ID # A0950996
Link: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_wla.htm

4) Unaltered male, white and black (Black Hooded)
Age Unknown
Has been at shelter since May 27th, 2008
Pet ID # A0953216
Link: http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_wla.htm

These rats are at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter
http://www.laanimalservices.com/wla_carecenter.htm

The Zip Codes that this shelter covers are:

90024 90045 90064 90077 90245 90292*
90025 90046 90066* 90210* 90272 90293
90034 90048 90067 90230 90290 90404*

Address
11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381, FAX 310-207-4965

HOURS OF PUBLIC OPERATION:
Monday - Closed (Emergencies Only)
Tuesday (8AM - 7PM)
Wednesday (8AM - 5PM)
Thursday (8AM - 7PM)
Friday (8AM - 5PM)
Saturday (8AM - 5PM)
Sunday (11AM - 5PM)

Please don't contact me regarding the shelter or the rats for adoption. I only have the info that is on this page and what is on the web site and no further information than that. If you have any questions please contact the West Los Angeles Shelter.

Rebecca

Malagasy Rat

2008-06-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, here is a rat I've never heard of. This is a Malagasy rat. Here is some info on this very interesting rat:
The Malagasy giant rat is no ordinary rat and bears little resemblance to its better known cousins, having been isolated on the island of Madagascar for much of its evolutionary history (3). About the size of a rabbit, this rotund rodent is by far the largest on Madagascar and, much like a rabbit, possesses long, pointed, conspicuous ears (4). Also known as the Malagasy giant jumping rat, this unusual species has elongated hindlegs and large hind feet that allow it to leap almost a metre into the air. However, contrary to this common name, these ‘jumping rats' rarely jump, unless startled or to avoid predators (5). The short fur is greyish-brown to reddish on the upperside, darkest on the head, while the limbs, feet and underparts are white, and the dark tail is covered with short, stiff hairs (2).

Found in a small area of western Madagascar called Menabe, northeast of Morondava (6). A village splits the habitat in two, isolating a northern population from one further south (7). Restricted to sandy coastal areas of primary dry deciduous forest, mixed with baobab trees and permanently covered in dry leaf-litter (2).

Like rabbits, Malagasy giant rats live in burrows, which typically consist of a network of tunnels, each around 45 centimetres in diameter and up to five metres long (2). These are occupied by a family group consisting of a monogamous pair, their current offspring and their female offspring from the previous year. Families maintain and defend a territory covering three to four hectares (6). Territory borders are marked with urine, faeces and scent gland deposits. The burrows are not only used for raising offspring, but also for protection against predation and heat during the day and heavy rain during the night (4). Pairs mate for life, but if one mate dies they are normally replaced within a few days or weeks (6). Litters of one or two young are born in the rainy season in late November and early December (5), after a gestation period of 102 to 138 days (4). Young stay within the safety of the burrow for the first four to six weeks before venturing out (4). Male offspring leave their natal territory and are able to breed at one year, if they can establish a territory and attract a mate. Female offspring may remain with their parents for up to two years before they get sexually mature and disperse (4). Males are thought to be monogamous in order to help protect their young from high levels of predation and the contribution of male parental care is assumed to be very high (6).

This nocturnal rodent spends the day within its burrows, emerging at dusk to forage either alone or in pairs on the forest floor (4). The rats are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fallen fruit, seeds and leaves, digging for roots and tubers and stripping bark from saplings (4), although in captivity some have also been observed eating invertebrates (2).

Like many of Madagascar's unique species, the Malagasy giant rat is thought to have become highly endangered due to habitat loss and disturbance, and predation by and competition with introduced species (8). For centuries Madagascar's forests have experienced successive waves of degradation at the hands of human colonists, each with different destructive patterns of land use (7). In more recent years, illegal and commercial logging, charcoal production and burning to clear land for agriculture or cattle pasture have all had a devastating impact, often changing open forest into dense, shrubby undergrowth unsuitable as rat habitat or destroying the vegetation completely (3). The rats continue to suffer from human disturbance in the remaining forests, which are used by the villagers to gather firewood, collect honey, dig up edible roots, and hunt tenrecs and lemurs (3) (7). Predation by introduced predators such as dogs may also be playing a significant role in this species' decline (3).

For even more information, go here:
www.durrell.org/Animals/Madagascar-Giant-Jumping-Rat

2 cute pics

2008-05-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Image details: View of Rat's Stomach from Below served by picapp.com

Image details: Pet Rat Eating served by picapp.com

A few rattie pics i found this evening.

2008-05-13T19:31:00.001-07:00

New video of my Two Legged Rat Nubby

2008-05-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of the most amazing rat in the world! For those of you who don't know her, her name is Nubby. She only has two legs.. her back legs. She was either born with no front legs or had an injury as a pinky. I'm not 100% entirely sure.

She is an amazing rat. She can do just about anything a 4 legged rat can do with the exception of running on a wheel, that she can not do. But, she can pretty much do anything else. This disability has not stopped her in anyway.

She is now just over 2 years old so she is an old girl now. Most of you who read my blog already know her from the rat groups i belong to but for those of you who don't know her she really is a miracle rat. She has accomplished some pretty amazing things-- When she was about 4-5 weeks old, maybe a bit older she got lose in my bedroom and pretty much vanished for 2 week. YES 2 WEEKS. I could not find her. I looked everywhere for her and after a week i was pretty upset and was fairly sure something bad had happened to her.

Finally, at about the middle of the second week she was gone, i was sitting on the bedroom floor and out of the corner of my eye i saw something. I looked down and there she was... underneath my night stand and she walked right up to me. You can't believe how happy and relieved i was.

What else has she accomplished besides being lost for two weeks. One thing i never wanted to happen to her. A friend of mine came to visit.. she was passing threw town and she wanted to stop by for a bit. She brought along her young son. To make a long story short. I left him alone in my bedroom while i went to talk to his mother in the living room. I had boys free ranging and i had Nubby safely on the play table. I failed to tell the young boy not to put boys on the table nor put Nubby on the floor. When i walked in the bedroom i saw a black male not only on top of the table but also on top of Nubby. About 22 days later Nubby gave birth to 3 healthy babies- Ruby, Tuesday and Pickett (Pickett is named after a good friend of mine). Her babies are almost a year no i believe and doing well.

And yes, she accomplished one other thing... she had tumor removal surgery about 2 months ago. She had a small tumor on her side, near her hip. She survived the surgery and recovered faster than any rat of mine that has had tumor surgery.

So... you see, she has accomplished a lot. And not only that... she has accomplished two other things... Stealing my heart and the heart of many other people around the world.

I took this short video of her tonight and thought I'd show you all. ENJOY!

"mmmmmm"

2008-05-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

Rats Brain's Instant Replay May Be Key To Memory

2008-05-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Taken from Scientific America
By David Biello

A rat pauses at the end of a track. He dips his nose into a cup containing food and munches contentedly, nose twitching. Meanwhile, brain cells in the hippocampus of his brain replay his recent route to this repast, according to the results of a new study.

Previous research had shown that rats replayed specific brain firing sequences while sleeping. David Foster and Matthew Wilson at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wanted to find out what happened when they were awake. After implanting measuring devices to catch neurons firing in the hippocampuses of four rats, they let the animals run up and down a track with food at each end. Upon reaching the end of the track, the rats paused to eat, groom or just be still.

But their hippocampus cells were in a frenzy of activity. These cells are known to play a role in the formation of memories in rats and primates, including humans. By measuring the amount and location of the hippocampus cell firing, the researchers were able to determine that the neurons fired in the exact reverse order of the firing that occurred when the rat scurried from one end of the track to the other. In essence, the rats' brains replayed the recent route, possibly committing it to memory.

Such activity did not occur when the animals simply rested outside the track or when they were in a more familiar environment. "Reverse replay in the hippocampus might have a critical role in support of learning," the researchers conclude in their paper detailingthe findings, published online yesterday by Nature.

"When awake, reverse replay occurs in situ, allowing immediately preceding events to be evaluated in precise temporal relation to a current anchoring event, and so may be an integral mechanism for learning about recent events," they continue. "Understanding this replay is likely to be critical to understanding how animals learn from experience."

A few cute rattie pics and stuff

2008-05-11T17:56:00.001-07:00

Summer Make-Over Time.

2008-05-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of doing Summer Make-Overs for all my blogs. I like to change with the seasons.

Over the next week you'll see this blog change it's look until i find exactly what i am looking for. You'll see changes in the colors, layout and even the template.

I just wanted you to know so you didn't think i was going crazy :)

Hopefully within the week I'll have just the right look for summer.

-Rebecca
Owner and Creator of 'Wonderful World of Rats' 'Wonderful World of Animals'
'Wonderful World of Rodents'

Is there a rat in your future?

2008-05-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Taken From: http://www.petsit.com/content316341.html

Is there a rat in your future?

According to the Chinese calendar, the year 2008 is the Year of the Rat. The calendar runs from February 7, 2008 to January 25, 2009. Did you know that a Rat Year is a time for new beginnings? Should you begin by getting a pet rat? Take our quiz and find out!

Answer True or False

I would like a pet that is docile and friendly.
An intelligent pet is the right one for me.
I need a pet that is affectionate and that I can interact with.
My pet must have a unique personality.
I want my pet to respond when I call his name.
I don’t mind having more than one pet because they keep one another company.
I am diligent enough to keep my pet’s home clean.
I’d like to share some fruit and vegetables with my pet.
I like to play with pets and to watch them playing with toys.

If most of your answers are true, you might find a rat to be a great companion. For more information go to: www.ratfanclub.org.

Rat Forum

2008-05-08T17:45:00.001-07:00

I came across this rattie forum. I have no idea if it's new or not but i thought I'd share. It's a UK-based Forum.

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/community/

GREAT RATTIE PHOTO

2008-05-07T13:30:00.001-07:00

What beautiful critters

2008-05-06T18:16:00.001-07:00

Rattie nose

2008-05-06T17:56:00.001-07:00

He he. I want to kiss his nose

Taking a Dip

2008-05-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

This rattie doesn't look to happy about this. I hope he was ok after. I hope the photographer had this rat as a pet and not just a photo subject.

Some nice rattie pics.

2008-05-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Cute Website.

2008-04-30T18:20:00.001-07:00

Here is a cute rattie website i found-- Cute, cute pictures!

http://www.ratlymanor.com.au/ourrats.htm

Wet Rat

2008-04-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

I just found these and thought I'd share. They aren't the best pics but i love the last one-- all you see is the tail lol.

Good page on African Pouched Rats.

2008-04-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

I know some of you who read this blog and are friends of myself and belong to a few of the same rat groups adore these African Pouched Rats, as do i. Some of you may have seen this site but i thought I'd blog it anyway, and it will be in the archives if any newbie comes along.
http://www.80stoysale.com/pouchedrat.html

Big rat Small rat

2008-04-23T12:21:00.001-07:00

Cute pic.

New Feature- Rats for Adoption.

2008-04-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

One of the things i wanted for this blog is to help rats in need along with all the fun stuff and pictures i do here. So a new feature here will be to list rats that are for adoption from various websites/rescues and different locations around the United States, possibly Europe, Australia and Canada in the future.

Once in a while i will be posting a few rats that are up for adoption or rats who need fostering.

In the future i will do the format different than you see below. Right now, I'm just testing this out along with how i want to do this.

**************************

Here are today's rats that i have found:

Califnornia

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9098354

Adorable, kind-natured, intelligent, charming fancy rats make good companions for people and other pets. Watch a fascinating pair of rats behave in an open-air cage. Choose from boys or girls, some dumbos, various hoods, colors, markings. BOYS AND GIRLS 2 boys @ 3 months, 1 girl at 2.5 months, 5 girls & boys @ 5 weeks, 9 girls and boys @ 4 weeks. Hand-fed, well-bred. Nominal adoption fee: $15 each, $25 for 2, $30 for 3, $10 for each beyond that. Good-home inquiries ONLY (no bunchers or raptor-feeders, please): (310) 801-0724. Click link for photo album. http://picasaweb.google.com/ratrac/RatPix1 LaVonne (lavperry@onebox.com) or (310) 237-6028 Scott (310) 359-0310

Click the link above the photo for all the informaton!!

**************************

New York City

Peaches & Pearl

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10645381

These two gentle pocket pets were abandoned in a filthy cage several weeks ago. Fortunately, they were discovered and brought to the safety of our shelter. Peaches and Pearl enjoy being handled and are very gentle. Rats are known to be excellent and intelligent pets. We wish for them to be adopted together. The adoption fee is $25.00, and this includes their cage.

For all the info click the link above photos!

**************************

Stratford, CT

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10537920

We have 3 male white rats available for adoption! Good personalities and very gentle. Please call Brandee at 203-767-1150. Please visit our web site for more information on our group at www.hopalonghollow.org. Thanks for hopping by!

Click link above photo for all the info!!

More coming soon, please check back often.

Note: Do not contact me/this blog regarding these adoptions, i am only providing the info, i am not involved with any of the adoptions, you must click on the links i have provided and fallow instructions on the website.

The Nibbler- Brisbane Rat Rescue...

2008-04-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Found this photo on Etsy. You can order a print of this cute drawing at Etsy and it says in the photo description that 10% of the sales go to the Brisbane Rat Rescue. The link is below.

I just thought this was a nice drawing.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11202560

Note: Well, I'm having trouble uploading the photo, but you can see it at the link above

Rat in Translation.

2008-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

I thought this would be a fun little thing to blog; the word 'Rat' in various languages. I hunted down one of those easy-to-use word translators on line. It worked pretty well but for some languages, such as Chines and Japanese, i got '???' for one and the other '??' LOL.

This translator i used only offered a few languages and those are the languages i am putting below. Hey... if you know of any other somewhat easy-to-use translators that offer more languages leave me a comment with a link. That would be awesome.

I think the symbol one's are pretty cool. See, i told you 'Wonderful World of Rat's was not going to be a typical website or blog about rats. I try very hard to make this blog very unique. And the more i blog the more unique things and idea's i come up with.

Well, i hope you find this interesting as i did, if not... well you passed a few minutes of time lol.

Oh also, if you find any of these wrong or are different than what you know or speak, let me know and I will amend the list and/or offer your version of 'Rat.' What i put below is simply what the translator gave me.

RAT:

German - Ratte
Italian- Ratto
French- Rat
Portuguese- Rato
Dutch- Rat
Greek- Αρουραίος
Sweedish- Tjalla
Russian- Крыса
Arabic- فأرة

Rats and a 'Mouse'

2008-04-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

"Why i Love Rats" Essay Challenge.

2008-04-21T13:21:00.001-07:00

Ok all you rat lovers... Now is the time to let everyone know why you love rats.

What is the "Why I Love Rats' Essay Challenge? Well, it's pretty much what is says. It's an Essay and a Challenge. What i want you all to do is right a small essay on why you love rats. It can be a 2-4 medium size paragraphs.

Simply write why you love rats... write it as beautifully and passionately as you can. Tell us all why you love rats.... from the smallest little thing to the largest thing you love about rats.

I don't want it to be: "I love rats because they are cute" Well yea, rats sure are cute but that's not what i want, what i want is deep in your soul, write the essay as if you are digging deep into yourself to tell the world how wonderful rats are. Write it as if you were trying to convince the world how amazing rats are and write it as if you were trying to convert all the non-rat lovers out there.

Ok.. after you write the essay, what next? E mail it to me: Rsungodess20032aol.com

I will read all the essays that are submitted to me and I'll post them here on 'Wonderful World of Rats' and than everyone will vote on which essay's they liked the best. The 3 best essays will get a small sample bag of my homemade 'Spoiled rat treat mix' --this is not a staple food (everyday food) it is a treat mix for occasional snackage lol. And the one voted the absolute best will have their entire essay put on the bottom of this blog permanently along with a picture of one of your rats. I may add more things to the winners stuff through out the month.. but it won't be much. This is primarily for fun.

So ok, you have a month to write your essay. Please submit it by May 12th. I will read them over a coarse of a few days and than begin the winner process.

Ok... so start thinking, start jotting things down... and remeber BE ORIGINAL, BE CREATIVE !!!

-Rebecca

PS... please leave me a comment to let me know if you are going to take part in this. Just so i can get a feel for how many people will be writing essays. - Thank you

I'm so excited!!!

2008-04-21T09:13:00.001-07:00

My rat photo's from my Fotki site- Http://public.fotki.com/ratgirl2005 are going to be in an upcoming issue of Rat World Magazine, in an article called "IdentiFURcation'. The article is about the different furs that rats have and can have.

Isn't this just so amazing and wonderful. This is something i have dreamed about. 7 years of taking pictures of rats and finally i get recognized in a magazine, not that all of your compliments isn't recognition enough, it is and i appreciate all your complements over the past 7 years... but being in a magazine... omg. I am tickled pink!!!

I will keep you all updated on this... as i get info.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO *Big Smile* on my face right now!

-Rebecca

Some cute rat photo's i found this morning...

2008-04-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

New Drawing i did.

2008-04-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

This is a new drawing i did. I did it all in photoshop. I drew it all using a computer mouse. I didn't use any photoshop tricks such as filters or anything, this is all bran to hand, mouse to computer. I don't have one of those graphic drawing pads. If i had, had one of those drawing pads this drawing would have taken a lot less time and with a lot less frustration lol. But anyway... Ok, so in my opinion i can draw a tad bit better than this but i was going for a specific style. A style i saw on line from an artist. And this wasn't an attempt at real life drawing, this was a cartoon-style drawing. This artist had beautiful drawings of animals, wonderful drawings. But, he also had some drawings that were a sloppy style of drawing. It's hard to explain. His sloppy drawings although sloppy were just as wonderful as his real life drawings.. I don't know if there is a name for this style but i wanted to try it. So the drawing you see here is my attempt at that. And I'll tell ya... it isn't easy trying to draw sloppy lol. I know that sounds crazy but it's true. I can only draw a little bit better than what you see here so maybe i didn't really do that sloppy-style, maybe this is closer to how i really draw lol. Anyway... so this is my newest drawing. I kinda like drawing in photoshop more than i do with pencil and paper. With photoshop, i love how one can change the opacity of the color your using rather than selecting a darker or lighter version of the same color. I'm not sure that makes sense though. Well let me know what you think.

Wildie goes Domestic.

2008-04-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my good friend Drusilla's wild rattie. I just wanted to share this pic with everyone so some of you could see what a wildie looks like. Drusilla Received the wildie from someone else. The rattie's name is Angel and she was found on the sidewalk and rescued than given to Drusilla who hand raised her. She used a eye dropper to feed the little darling and as you can see the baby grew up to be a magnificent and glorious rat.

Wild rats look a tad different than domestic rats. Dru, did i get this info and story right? If you can leave a brief comment on how wildies look different than Domestics -- in your opinion... that would be great. Also if i got the story wrong please add that into the comment and i will amend this post.

Oh wait... this is Angel right? LOL

Little Baby Agouti

2008-04-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Nice little photo. This baby looks like my Christopher, Fletcher, Daphne and Delilah when they were babies. Sadly, Chrstopher and Daphne are long gone :(

This Is One Outrageously Beautiful Rat

2008-04-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

What a beauty huh?!

Uh ohhhh

2008-04-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is one cute PEW

2008-04-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

Beatuful Wildie

2008-04-16T15:39:00.001-07:00

Actually the more i look at this picture it looks like a domestic rat but who knows. If i were going by the wild setting I'd guess it's a wildie or a Rattus Rattus. What do you thnk?

Could just be someone's pet rat and they took this great photo of it.

Friends

2008-04-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I love seeing pictures of children with rats. Gives me hope that maybe someday rats will be more accepted. The younger children are exposed to rats the better... hopefully when they are adults they will still love rats and the more rat lovers out there, the better for rats.

Sorry for the 'Fotosearch' Logo. Can you believe if i wanted this photo on my blog without the Fotosearch log it would cost me $49.99. That's a little spendy!

Adorable PEW

2008-04-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

Stuff for your rats!

2008-04-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

Just found this thought I'd share!
http://www.pet-shop.net/html/rat.htmland

Cute Nakkie.

2008-04-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is one cute Nakkie. I hope someday i get to have a Nakkie. Oh, the name of this rat is Boomer!

Red Bull Rat Art.

2008-04-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is awesome! I should try and make something like this out of all my coke-cola cans lol.

Thanks Bev for the find!

Is this heaven?

2008-04-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

"Omg, is this heaven, look at all this cheese" LOL. Actually the site says this is a mouse, but it kinda looks like a rat to me.

Adorable picture.

2008-04-03T13:50:00.001-07:00

You know.. whenever i have coffee on my desk the rats always try to lick some, they love it. I'm sure in small doses.. coffee is as harmless to us as it is to rats. But this is a great pic. And those Dumbo's are GORGEOUS!

awww precious widdle babies.

2008-03-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

Cute Cute Video. Thanks Dru!

That little white baby is giving itself a good little grooming.

Year of The Rat Coin

2008-03-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

I want this!

Gold Year of the Rat Coin by orientalweights

Buy new: $14.99

In Stock

Everything Else:

I've got to get these.

2008-03-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, i have no kids. I often play with a neighbors 2 year old daughter and they want me to introduce her to rats which is great. We haven't picked a day for me to go over there and bring a couple rats with me, probably next month some time. And this game is a little out of her range, she's a bit young for it. But, i want these cards anyway for my ratabilia collection. I don't care what the game is about, i just want these cards LOL.

I often scan Amazon.com and eBay for rat stuff and here is one of my finds. Soon as i can learn how to put cash onto my paypal account so i can use my paypal debt card I'm going to order these. Which leads me to an off topic question, does anyone know how to get cash onto a paypal account? I always have to send cash to a friend and she puts it on my paypal account but there has got to be an easier way. I don't have a bank account, i REFUSE to have a bank account anymore because they are always stealing my money somehow. So i stick to cash now, with cash no one can charge me outrageous overdraft charges. Ok, i am digressing and ranting a little bit.. sorry.. but yea... how can i get cash onto a paypal account??

Now back to the topic at hand. Take a Looksie...

Rat-a-Tat Cat
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See details

25 used & new available from $5.96

Here is the direct link:

http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-204-Rat-a-Tat-Cat/dp/
B00000GBQJ/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1206646022&sr=8-16

Rattie wearing sweater.

2008-03-27T12:10:00.001-07:00

Oh this is just so adorable.

Pretty Painting

2008-03-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

Just thought this was a pretty rattie painting.

Dog, Cat and Rat

2008-03-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

I've seen this before but only as a photo, I've never seen a video of it. So i had to blog it here. Pretty cute. Long as the animals aren't scared i don't see a problem with it.

Little Rattie Pirates

2008-03-25T14:15:00.001-07:00

Tooooo Cute

Cute Critter Blog- Furry Critters

2008-03-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Someone was visiting my blog and really liked it and left a comment and told me about their critter blog, so i had to pass it on to you because it's really cute.

The blog is called "Furry Critters" and here is the link: http://furrycritters-johnlon.blogspot.com/
Please take a look. I'll also be adding this blog to my blog links.

Cute Rat Coca-Cola Commercial

2008-03-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

This is soooo cute and I'm craving an ice cold coke now. It's my fav drink!

Rapt Soda

Thanks Nim for sending this to me :)

Interesting Photo

2008-03-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Great Rattie Book.

2008-03-24T14:51:00.001-07:00

Just found this while Stumbling thought I'd share i here. Might order one myself sometime.

Curiosity Rattery's Guide to Rats

by Vickie Boutwell

Genre: Pet Care
Paperback: 112 pages

Description: This book is a hard copy of my sites. It contains care info, genetics, fun facts, and more.

Synopsis:

The rat information from my sites compiled into a handy paperback. All this is on my sites, but this is a version you can use as an offline reference. (I have always wanted to write a book, and now I have!)---Table of Contents: Why Rats?--Rats in Brief--The History of Pet Rats--Are Rats for You?--Choosing Your Rats--The New Rat--Rat Care--Is It True?--Health--Rat Psychology--The Lone Rat--Note to Children--Odor Control--Breeding--Genetics--Rat Types--Glossary--Other Resources Product Details:

· Paperback: 112 pages
· Binding: Perfect
· Publisher: Vickie Boutwell (February 2004)
· Product Number: 9768932

by Vickie Boutwell

Available at Cafepress http://www.cafepress.com/curiousrat.9768932

Rattie Ratz Event

2008-03-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

*Rattie Ratz is not affiliated with this blog. I just want to spread the word about their rattie event

* PERMISSION TO CROSS POST **

The Wonderful World of Rats is a free family fun fest dedicated to promoting domestic pet rats as quality companion animals taking place at the Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo, CA on Sunday, March 30th from 11am-4pm. There will be hourly door prizes, vendors, games, crafts, educational seminars, raffle, photo contest and LOTS of fun!!

RAFFLE:

Rattie Ratz Rescue is holding a raffle at The Wonderful World of Rats and you do not need to be present to win. Raffle tickets are $1 each and all proceeds go to the care of all our rescue rats. Rattie Ratz is seeking much needed financial assistance to pay for medical expenses, spay/neutering, general maintenance and more. Only 5 more days to buy a raffle ticket!!

Info can be found at:

http://www.thewonderfulworldofrats.org/raffle.html

PHOTO CONTEST:

Unfortunately we can't all bring our pet rats to the fest, but we are all proud of our pets!

Attendees at the event will have the chance to vote for their favorite rat photo. Near the end of the event, a first, second, and third place winner will be established based on votes placed throughout the day. There is no limit on the number of entries an individual can submit and the winners need NOT be present to win!!

*** A ribbon will be awarded to each winner and Rattie Ratz will donate a prize customized with their winning image ***

How to enter:
Photos can be brought to the event (please bring a standard size 4x6 photo) Don't bring your only copy of the photo. Photos may not be returned and we cannot be held responsible for keeping pictures in mint condition.

You can submit your photo online at any time before Friday, March 28th to rattieratz@gmail.com. All entries will be printed on 4x6 photo paper and will look better with higher resolution images. Please bear this in mind when submitting your entry.

You can send in your entry using the regular mail. (It must arrive by Friday, March 28th)

Please send your entry to:
WWOR Photo Contest
c/o Diane Nesom
5411 Drysdale Drive
San Jose, CA 95124

No matter which way you choose to enter, be sure to include your name, your rat's name, and your email address or phone number with your photo.

Please help us get the word out by cross posting this message to as many applicable groups as you can!

Thank you for your support. Hope to see you there!

The Friends of Rattie Ratz

Some Great Rat Photo's

2008-03-24T12:33:00.001-07:00

These are lovely

Sorry for pop ups- Trying to fix

2008-03-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the pop ups that show up when you view this page. They are coming from one of the Widgets i installed on my page. I am trying to figure out which Widget it was. I think it was the Mini-Blogs i put on my page so i took that one off to see if it helps.

I have a pop up blocker on my Fierfox browser so i can't see the pop ups when i view my blogs when not in edit mode. But someone told me one of the pop ups as VERY ADULT, i am soooooooo sorry about that. Please know i didn't put that add on myself, it came with one of the Widgets on the side bar.

I am trying to fix all this so bare with me please. Don't it discourage you from viewing my blog.

Thank you
-Rebecca

Rat Video From National Geographic.

2008-03-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a rat video i found on Naional Geographic. It's about Rat reproduction. It's not about our Domestic friends, but the wildies.

*Note: I wasn't able to watch the entire video for it skipped a few times, if there is anything that would be considered inappropriate to us rat lovers, please let me know and I'll take off the video ASAP

Here is the link to the video:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/mammals-animals/
rodents-and-rabbits/boa_ambushesrat.html

(let me know if the link doesn't work)

*Edit: Looks like you'll have to cut and paste the link into your browser

Rats understand cause and effect, Experiment suggests

2008-03-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Interesting Article:
*I think us rat lovers already know how smart rats are !!

Rats understand cause and effect, experiment suggests

Richard A. Lovett for National Geographic News

February 16, 2006

Rats are clever little creatures.

Sure, they can run mazes for scientific experiments and learn to procure food by pressing levers and deciphering complex clues.

But rats may be even smarter and more like humans than was previously suspected, a new study says.

Traditional animal psychology says that animals "reason" by association.

For example, in 1903 Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov famously trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a metronome. He did so by starting the noise just before feeding time, day after day. Soon, the dogs were associating the sound with the upcoming treat and would salivate even if no food were offered.

Psychologists call this learning by association.

But that doesn't explain everything, says Aaron Blaisdell, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of California, Los Angeles.

There is also "causal reasoning"—as in, cause and effect—and it's a very different thing from associative learning.

In their study, to be published in tomorrow's issue of the journal Science, Blaisdell and his colleagues determined that rats can understand complex cause-and-effect relationships.

Cause and Coincidence

The researchers designed a multistep experiment involving lights, noises, levers, and food.

In the first step the rats were periodically exposed to ten-second flashes of light. Sometimes the light was followed by a tone. Sometimes it was followed by the release of a sweet liquid.

This taught the animals that the light could cause either of two effects: one useful (food) and one not (noise). Once the rats were accustomed to this, Blaisdell divided the rodents into two groups.

Levers were added to the cages of both groups. Group A, as we'll call them, got levers that produced the tone—but no flash—when pushed. Group B got levers that didn't do anything at all.

The Group A rats, with working levers, quickly discovered that pushing them produced the tone but no light.

Group A quickly realized that the tone was separate from the flash of light—that the light was not the cause of the tone or the cause of the sweet liquid being released.

Group B, with nonworking levers, also heard the tone when their Group A pushed their levers. But Group B got excited and hurried to check for sweets.

That's because Group B had know way to know that Group A's levers were the cause of the tone. Group B, it seems, figured they must have missed the flash and therefore might be about to miss out on food.

The experiment is "a bit convoluted," said Howard Eichenbaum, a psychology professor at Boston University in Massachusetts.

"But the gist is that rats can distinguish cause from coincidence," he said.

Blaisdell, the study leader, gives the rats even more credit.

He says that the animals were distinguishing the effects of their own actions from those of outside events.

In other words, the rats realized that they had caused the tone and that it therefore had nothing to do with the light and the possibility of food.

However you interpret it, the animals were demonstrating a fairly sophisticated form of reasoning.

Blurry Lines

The experiment blurs another long-presumed distinction between humans and other animals.

"Our ability to reason causally might not be unique," Blaisdell said. "You can't just draw a line around the human species and say, They reason, and other animals don't."

Still, Boston University's Eichenbaum says, that doesn't mean rats are as smart as humans.

What it does mean, he says, is that rats demonstrate some of the elements of higher-order human thought processes.

Loation Rock Rat once believe to have gone extinct

2008-03-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

Another good article:

Retired professor captures a 'Living Fossel' -- Loation Rock Rat once believed to have gone extinct.

ScienceDaily (Jun. 14, 2006) — The first images of a live specimen of a small, furry animal once believed to have gone extinct more than 11 million years ago have been captured during a Southeast Asian expedition led by a retired Florida State University researcher.

The remarkable video and photos shot by David Redfield, a professor emeritus of FSU's science education faculty, and Thai wildlife biologist Uthai Treesucon are being hailed as historic images documenting a true "living fossil," the Laotian rock rat.

The Laotian rock rat is so called for its only known habitat -- limestone outcroppings in Central Laos -- and the appearance of the animal's head and face, which sport long whiskers and beady eyes like those of a rat. (To view photographs and video of the Laotian rock rat, visit www.rinr.fsu.edu/rockrat.)

Redfield's video shows a docile, squirrel-sized animal covered with dark, dense fur and bearing a long tail that's not as bushy as that of a typical squirrel. Perhaps the most striking observation is how the animal walks -- like a duck. Clearly not adapted to climbing trees, the rock rat exhibits a duck-like waddle with its hind feet splayed out at an angle to its body. An avid but otherwise amateur wildlife observer, Redfield has traveled the world since retiring in 1988 from a career in teaching and research at FSU. A passion for bird watching in the 1990s segued into an interest in seeing some of the world's rare mammals in their native habitats. When he learned about the discovery of the Laotian rock rat last year -- and that no one had seen a live specimen -- Redfield set out on a personal quest to accomplish the feat.

"We were extremely fortunate in so many ways to be able to do this," Redfield said of the discovery. "It's easily one of the most gratifying experiences of my life, and I hope these pictures will help in some way to prevent the loss of this marvelous animal."

Known as kha-nyou (pronounced "ga-noo") in Lao villages near its habitat, the animal was first described scientifically in the April 2005 issue of the journal Systematics and Biodiversity. Identified as a member of an entirely new family of mammals, the rock rat made news around the world. It gained international attention again on March 10 of this year when scientists published a paper in Science magazine re-identifying the animal as a "living fossil" whose last remaining relatives went extinct 11 million years ago.
Mary Dawson, curator emeritus of vertebrate paleontology at the Carnegie Museum and primary author of the paper published in March in Science, recently reviewed Redfield's images and confirmed their authenticity. "This is a truly exciting discovery," Dawson said. "Dr. Redfield's sighting of the living animal is the first to be recorded scientifically. These are the first photographic images of the recently discovered 'living fossil' Laonastes aenigmamus."

Dawson led the team of scientists who used fossilized remains collected from sites in Pakistan, India, Thailand, China and Japan to prove that, instead of being completely new to science, the rare animal actually was the last known relative of a long-extinct family of rodents known as Diatomyidae. Dawson's paper described the rock rat as an example of the "Lazarus effect," a reference to the Biblical character Lazarus who returned from the dead. Biologists use the term to refer to those rare instances when animals long thought to be extinct turn up alive and well in some remote habitat.

"Dr. Redfield's discovery and these images are extremely important scientifically, showing as they do an animal (with) such markedly distinctive anatomical and functional attributes," Dawson said. "These are amazing pictures."

Redfield used some of his contacts in Southeast Asia -- made from numerous bird-watching field trips to the region over the years -- to help coordinate his trip to Laos this past May. Using native guides and interpreters, he succeeded in gaining the confidence of local hunters near a Central Laotian village close to the Thai border. After four failed attempts, the hunters finally captured a live rock rat. Redfield and his hosts returned the animal safely to its rocky home after photographing and videotaping it.

Redfield credits Treesucon, a renowned biologist and birder, with coordinating the logistics of the expedition that culminated in the successful capture of the animal on May 17 near the Laotian village of Doy.

Year of the Rat: Furry Creatures misunderstood, Vet Says

2008-03-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

Good Article:

ScienceDaily (Jan. 30, 2008) — It’s the Chinese Year of the Rat, and if there’s ever been an animal that needed a total image makeover, it’s the rat. Many people loathe rats and associate them with disease and filth – hardly a four-star recommendation for the furry creatures. But the truth is, they are highly intelligent animals, have been amazingly beneficial in medicine and can be very affectionate pets, says a Texas A&M University veterinarian and rat expert.Dr. Kristina Kalivoda, a small animal instructor in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, believes rats are among the most misunderstood of all animals and are not the horror from the sewer people tend to think they are.

“Rats are very smart and are known for their problem-solving skills,” says Kalivoda, an admitted rat fan.

“Many people believe they are nasty, filthy creatures, and that’s not true at all. In fact, rats wash themselves several times a day, about as often as most cats.”

The name itself poses a rat problem.

Rats are rodents, and rodent comes from the Latin word meaning “to gnaw.” Rats do like to chew and they are constantly searching for food. They tend to live where humans live for two reasons – food and shelter.

They have been parodied by Hollywood – who can forget James Cagney’s immortal line, “You dirty rat!” – while last year’s hit film Ratatouille showed the humorous side of the creatures, and Disney’s Mickey Mouse has been appealing for decades, as have Tom and Jerry.

Comedian David Letterman often jokes about New York City’s countless rats, bragging that “our rats can whip your honor students.”

Some rat facts include:

Their lifespan is between 1-3 years;
They have no gallbladder;
Rats have a bellybutton;
Rats can’t vomit;
They are prolific breeders: A pair of rats can produce 15,000 descendants in their lifetime, and female rats spend almost their entire lives pregnant;
Rat teeth are incredibly strong and can chew through walls, plumbing and even concrete.
Rats come in different colors such as silver, blond, grey, black and albino. Some have short ears and some have floppy ears;
The largest rat, the African rat, can be 3 feet in length – about the size of a small dog;
Rats are expert swimmers;
Rats can laugh and do so with a high chirping sound when amused.

“Rats are very smart and they can figure out things quickly,” Kalivoda adds. “If you put them in a maze, they can find their way out in no time at all. They are social creatures and can be very affectionate. They are also easily trained and many can do tricks.”

The difference between a rat and a mouse, Kalivoda explains, is size. Rats are much larger than mice, often three to four times as large, and mice don’t live as long as rats.

Despite their frisky mannerisms, many rats have internal health issues, mainly cancerous tumors. Kalivoda says rats often develop mammary tumors or other cancers, and rats also frequently suffer from respiratory illnesses.

But their benefits in medicine have been phenomenal. In research laboratories around the world, rats have contributed to more cures than any other animal, and in that regard, have no doubt saved millions of lives.

“In my opinion, rats do a get a bad rap,” Kalivoda believes.

“I can tell you firsthand that rats can make great, fun pets. A lot of people have rats as pets, and they will tell you they’re the best pets they’ve ever had.

New Holiday drawing from Mat Kaplin

2008-03-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter Everyone!

This Pinkish Template

2008-03-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, i think i am happy with this Template and color for now. Hey, and it kinda fits the Holiday (easter) doesn't it. I didn't even realize that till after i finished changing the colors.

So i think I'll keep this for a while. At least until such time i find the perfect template and look for it.

-Rebecca

WARNING: Adorableness Alert !!

2008-03-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Omg these are some amazing rattie photo's. And what a great photographer this person is. I take professional style photo's of my rats but they never come out quite this good. Above are 3 of the photo's but you can see more here" http://www.redbubble.com/people/ellen/art/everything/tags/rat

Temporary Templates

2008-03-22T12:11:00.001-07:00

I'm in the process of finding a new template for Wonderful World of Rats. Remember, i was only using the Ratatouille template for WWR's debut. Yea, it was a cute template but it had a few bugs and it didn't fit the screen properly, at last not for me.

So now i am in the process of finding a new template for WWR. But, i am a tad frustrated because every time i find a template on line that i really like it doesn't work for some reason. I get errors when i try to upload it and I've tried it both ways- Uploading and cut and paste. I do know how to put templates into Blogspot but some of them just don't want to work or something is missing or wrong with the html/xml code and i don't know enough about html or xml to go inside the codes and fix it.

But, eventually i will find the right template for this blog. Over the next few days you may see the template change. Although blogspot offers previews of templates with your content before you pick it i still like to see how it will actually look... so as i said, you may see this page change a lot over the next few days.

I'm really looking for a clean and simple medium blue, light blue template for this blog... so that is what i am searching for. I did fine a few beautiful templates but they were for Wordpressarghhhh and i did try it anyway... but it didn't work.

Let me know if the black text is to hard to read on this template i have on today.

Sorry for any inconvenience.... oh and yes... the blog will still be active and i will be posting threw all this construction so continue to check back often.

Thank you
-Rebecca

A cute rat blogspot blog

2008-03-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Came across this tonight.. passing it on

http://lolrats.blogspot.com/

Some Rat Art

2008-03-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

I found these 4 pieces of rat art tonight... thought I'd share. I got all 4 from Deviantart.com- Great site by he way.

I think my favorites are the second and last one. But... they are all wonderful.

Adorableness

2008-03-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

I snagged this from a wonderful blog called Imagica ran by a close friend of mine Drusilla- Http://imagica.blogspot.com I've never seen a rattie with a mark like this. This baby is so adorable i just had to snag it for WWR.

Rat Event- Cuyahoga, Ohio

2008-03-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

I found this on the enternet just now. If anyone lives in Cuyahoga County or close to it (I have no idea where it is in Ohio, i live in California). Anyway, it looks as if someone is hosting a meeting to dispel the Myths of rats at a local library. I cant find to much more info. The only thing that the page really has on it is two cute pics and a link to registration for the meeting/event. So, i thought I'd post it here so that anyone in the area can register an attend. Below is the info. (link at bottom)

Branch: Brook Park - Large Meeting Room

Type of Event: Special

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008 2:00 PM

As we enter the Chinese Year of the Rat, join us as John Minniti shares his interest in rats, tells us why they make good pets, and shows us how to take care of them on Saturday, April 26 from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.

This is a family program, open to all ages. Registration is required. If there are spaces available, you may register online, by phone, or in person beginning March 5, 2008 (registration link will not appear until 3/5/08 at 9:00 AM).

Here is the link if to the page if you'd like to register and attend: http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/EventDetail.aspx?EventInstanceID=21672

I want one of these

2008-03-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

These are actually made for dogs but i think i want one for my rats. The beds are to large for a cage but for free rangers it would be great. Imagine having a bunch of sleeping rats in this in the corner of your room. I know my rats would love this!!! Here is ordering info:

http://www.pawsupply.com/petzipbeds.html
(scroll down)

Actually any of the items on that page I'd love for my rats.

Rat in the Hay

2008-03-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a cute pic

New Drawing By Drusilla Kehl.

2008-03-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here is one of Drusilla's newest masterpieces. It's a drawing of a rattie named Ellie. I think it's wonderfull.... as usual. Drusilla Kehl is a wonderful artist and the best rat artist in the world.

WWR Rat of the Week- Anjyl

2008-03-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Anjyl's Mom writes:

"Anjyl is a beige hooded rat with dark ruby eyes. She is almost 2 years old. she lives with her human Dianna in Austin, TX where she loves to sleep in her crocheted rat-tube and play with her Chihuahua Paulie - who is almost the same color as she is. Paulie loves anjyl too."

---------
I must say Anjyl is very pretty. The reason i like Diana's Anjyl so much is
because she looks so much like my dearest Nubby. She could be Nubby's twin.

Would you like to you see your darling rat as WWR's rat of the week? Simply
email me at Rsungodess2003@aol.com
and include a picture of your rat, the rats
name and a brief paragraph about your
rattie. Also, please include the City,
State and Country you are in. Oh...
and include your name as well
(First name only)

Please only submit clear pictures

Dangerous Plants.

2008-03-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

Below is information on dangerous plants and a list of plants that are dangerous to rats and animals

* Please disregard the "Printable Version" and "E mail to a friend (only for website this info came from)

The following plants are all dangerous to some degree. Some, like oleander and Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) can cause death almost instantly. Others may cause only a mild reaction, but it is still best to remove them from any areas where they would be in contact with your pet.

This is not a complete list, so if you are in any doubt about the safety of plants that you have, please contact your veterinarian or the poison control center. The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center hotline numbers are as follows:

1-900-443-0000 ($55.00 per case). The charge is billed directly to the caller's phone.
1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 ($55.00 per case). The charge is billed to caller's credit card only.

Plants dangerous for small animals:

Air plant
Amanita
Amaryllis
American yew
Andromeda
Arum lily
Autumn crocus
Australian flame tree
Avocado
Azalea
Balsam pear
Baneberry
Bird of paradise
Bishop's weed
Black laurel
Black locust
Bloodroot
Bluebonnet
Blue-green algae
Boxwood
Bracken fern
Broad beans
Broomcorn grass
Buckeye
Buckthorn
Bulb flowers
Burdock
Buttercup
Cacao
Caladium
Calla lily
Camel bush
Candelabra tree
Cardinal
Castor Bean
Chalice vine
Cherry tree
Chinaberry tree
Christmas candle
Clematis
Cocklebur
Coffee
Coffee bean
Coral plant
Coriander
Corncockle
Cotton bush
Cowslip
Coyotillo
Crown of thorns
Cutleaf
Daffodil
Daphne
Datura
Deadly amanita
Death camus
Delphinium
Devil's ivy
Dieffenbachia
Dutchman's breeches
Eggplant

Elderberry
Elephant's ear
English ivy
English yew
Ergot
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
False hellebore
False henbane
Flame tree
Felt plant
Firethorn
Four o'clock
Foxglove
Ghostweed
Glottidium
Golden chain
Ground cherry
Johnson grass
Heliotrope
Hemlock
Henbane
Holly
Honeysuckle
Horse bean
Horse chestnut
Horsetail
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian licorice
Indian turnip
Inkberry
Iris
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Java bean
Lima bean
Jasmine
Jerusalem cherry
Jimsonweed
Juniper
Kentucky coffee tree
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Leucotho
Lily-of-the-valley
Lima bean
Lobelia
Locoweed
Lords and ladies
Lupine
Malanga
Mandrake
Marijuana
Maternity plant
Mayapple
Meadow saffron
Mescal bean
Mexican breadfruit
Mexican poppy
Milk vetch
Milkweed

Mistletoe
Mock orange
Monkshood
Moonseed
Morning glory
Mountain laurel
Mushrooms
Narcissus
Navy bean
Nettles
Nightshades
Oak
Oleander
Panda plant
Parsley
Peires
Pencil tree
Periwinkle
Philodendrons
Pigweed
Pikeweed
Poinciana
Poinsettia
Poison ivy
Poison oak
Pokeweed
Potato
Precatory
Privet
Pyracantha
Rain tree
Ranunculus
Rape
Rattlebox
Rattlebush
Red maple
Rhubarb
Rhododendrons
Rosary peas
Sandbox tree
Scarlet runner
Skunk cabbage
Snowdrop
Snow on the mountain
Sorghum grass
Sorrel
Spindle tree
Spurges
Sudan grass
Sweet pea
Tansy ragwort
Tobacco
Thornapple
Vetch
Virginia bower
Virginia creeper
Wattle
White cedar
Wisteria
Yam bean
Yews
Yellow jasmine

Physiological Facts.

2008-03-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

I got this from the AFRMA (afrma.org)

Average life span 1000 days (2-3 years)
Body Length 9-11
Tail length in inches 7-9
Weight in ounces 10-19
Temperature 99.5-100.8
Respiratory rate Average 100/minute
Heart Rate Average 375/Minute
Amount food eaten 15-20 grams
Water consumption 1 Oz (although I've heard it is 2 Oz)
Fecal output 10-13 grams
urine output 11-15 mil
Adult males weight 450-650 grams
Adult female weight 350-450 grams
Ideal room temp 65-70 F
Ideal room humidity 45-65%
Cage cleaning Twice weekly (although this varies depending
on how many rats are in a cage
Keep males together Yes (however... occasionally you'll get a few males who
don't get along
Males musky odor no (But some males can have a musky odor but it is rare
Good and Water
requirments Always availabe

2 more great rat photo's.

2008-03-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

This rat in this set of photo's look so much like one of my first rats Olivia. Olivia is long gone. I rescued her and her sister Ripley from a nasty pet store.

Are you looking at me?

2008-03-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

Another great rat photo:

Hiding.

2008-03-18T17:39:00.001-07:00

Great Photo

Rat Facts of the Day

2008-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Rat Facts 12-17

12. The average body length of a rat is 9-11 inches, the tail is 7-9 inches. If you include
the tail, the average length is 16-20 inches.

13. Teddy Roosevelt had pet rats in the White House

14. Rats teeth are strong enough to gnaw through wood, bone, lead piping,
brick, concrete and metal.

15. Rats have been sent into space, aboard, American, Chinese and Russian spacecrafts

16. Most rats are right handed.

Rat species of the day- Kangaroo Rat

2008-03-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

Kangaroo rats

Genus Dipodomys, are small rodents native to North America. The name derives from their bipedal form: they hop like tiny kangaroos.

Twenty-two species are currently recognized. Their size varies from 100 to 200 mm, with a tail of equal or slightly greater length; weight can be anywhere between 35 and 180 grams. The most distinctive feature of the kangaroo rats is their very long hind legs.

Like the jerboas of African and Asian deserts and the hopping mice of outback Australia, kangaroo rats have highly developed hind legs, live in deep burrows that shelter them from the worst of the desert heat, and rarely drink water. Instead, they have a highly water-efficient metabolism (their kidneys are at least four times more efficient at retaining water and excreting salt than those of humans) and manufacture water through a metabolic process called oxidative phosphorylation. Despite sharing so many characteristics with jerboas and hopping mice, the three groups are not closely related to one another: the similarities are the result of convergent evolution.

Kangaroo rats are found in arid and semi-arid areas of Canada, the United States Mexico that retain some grass or other vegetation. Their diet includes seeds, leaves, stems, buds, some fruit, and insects. Most kangaroo rat species use their burrows and buried caches nearby to store food against the possibility of bad seasons. The Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat has been recorded making burrows with several storage chambers up to 25 cm in diameter each, and containing almost six kilograms of stored food. and

Unlike the jerboas and hopping mice, but like their close relatives the pocket mice, kangaroo rats have large cheek pouches that open on either side of the mouth and extend back to the shoulders. They fill the pouches with food or nesting material ready for transport back to the burrow, then empty them by turning them inside out, like pockets, with their forepaws. There is a special muscle that, once the pouch is empty and clean, pulls it back in again.

The overall color of the kangaroo rats can be anywhere between pale, sandy yellow, and dark brown, with a white underside and often with white banding across the thighs. Tails tend to be dark with white sides and a tuft of longer hairs. Facial markings vary from one species to another, but all have an oil gland between the shoulders.

One special feature of the kangaroo rat is the animal's efficient kidneys. The kangaroo rat has a longer loop of Henle in the nephrons which permit a greater magnitude of countercurrent multiplication and thus a larger medullary vertical osmotic gradient. As a result, these rodents can produce urine that is concentrated up to an osmolarity of almost 6,000 mosm/liter, which is five times more concentrated than maximally concentrated human urine at 1,200 mosm/liter. Because of this tremendous concentration ability, kangaroo rats never have to drink; the H₂O produced metabolically within their cells during oxidation of foodstuff (food plus O₂ yields CO₂ + H₂O + energy) is sufficient for their body. Kangaroo rats lose so little water that they can recover 90% of the loss by using metabolic water gaining the remaining 10% from the small amount of water in their diet. Kangaroo rats lose water mainly by evaporation during gas exchange and gain water mainly from cellular metabolism.

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Subclass:	Eutheria
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Heteromyidae
Genus:	Dipodomys

Golden Rat

2008-03-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

This is beautiful. I'm not sure what it is because you can't see the whole thing in the photo and there was no info with the photo other than it's a rat. Isn't it pretty!

Some Awesome Rat Photos.

2008-03-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

These weren't to easy to find. Aren't these gorgeous rat photo's!!

I really need to start taking some more
professional photo's of my rats like i used to.

The last picture is awesome bu the poor
ratty looks so scared. I hope he was ok afterwards.

Future Rat Lover- The Rat Princess

2008-03-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

I just happen to come across this while using StumbleUpon. I'd say we have a future rat lover here.

The photo didn't have much information with it except that the baby is named Isabella (Great name) and that the rat is named "Little Guy" and that he is a Beige Dumbo Rex Self.

Although his name is little Guy... well he sure doesn't look little lol. Oh the title of the photo is "The Rat Princess" I'd say that fits nicely. GREAT PHOTO!!! Priceless

So what do you think so far?

2008-03-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

So all you rat lovers out there... how do you think of WWR is shaping up? Do like everything so far? The 'Ratatouille' template is only temporary, it will be changed in a few days, maybe next week. I prefer a nice clean cut temlate and the Ratatouille isn't exactly how i like templates... but, that being said it is a great template. It was a perfect template for WWR's debut.

As for the future of this blog. WOW... you guys are just gonna love it. I have so many plans for this blog. There will be all kinds of fun things. And this blog is going to be very interactive with all of it's readers. This blog is for all you rat lovers out there, not for me. While i do enjoy doing it, it's all about you guys and what makes you happy. And it's about rats and getting some great rat PR out there. I hope to reach many many people out in rat-loving cyber space.

I plan on holding photo contests and many other things. And please... if you have any idea's for this blog PLEASE LET ME KNOW. You can leave a comment or e mail me at Rsungodess2003@aol.com. If you don't like something please let me know as well.

Well, i just wanted to ask what you think of the blog as it is now? Please let me know what you like about it and what you don't. This blog will be in much better shape in the future, right now it's in the development and beginning fazes. A lot of work needs to be done to make this the best and hottest rat blog out there!!!

I really appreciate you guys visiting this blog. PLEASE KNOW THAT. I appreciate all of you and remember... this blog is for you, for you... the rat lover.

Take care
-Rebecca

PS... if you are new to this blog and don't belong to any of the yahoo rat groups that i belong to and your an animal lover, please check out my other blog, it's sorda a sister-group to this group. The link is- http://wonderfulworldofanimals.blogspot.com

Rat Facts of the Day.

2008-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Rat facts 6-11

6. A Rat can go longer without water than a Camel

7. Ganesha, the Hindu god of Prosperity, New Beginnings and Luck rides around the Rat

8. Rats have glands on the bottom of their feet, so they leave a wet sent trail where ever they walk

9. The ancient Mayans and egyptians worshiped rats

10. The Black rat eats about 15 Grams a day.. however, our spoiled pet rats probably eat a bit
more than that.

11. Our adorable pet rats mature faster than the Black Rat (Rattus Rattus). Black rats mature at
about 12 - 16 weeks while our domestic critters mature at about 4-6 weeks.

*Do you have any unusual or interesting rat facts? If so, e mail me at Rsungodess2003.
I am hoping to have the most rat facts here at WWR than anywhere on the net.

Year of the Rat Art.

2008-03-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a nice piece of rat art. It is by LD Gonzalez. If you like this, you can purchase it here: http://dart.fine-art.com/aqd-asp-i_133742-buy-artlistinginfo.htm

Fat Rat Art Car

2008-03-17T13:01:00.001-07:00

I came across this today. There was really no info with the picture other than it was created by Robert Blue and Sam Jones and that the photo's were taken in 2005 at the 2005 Art Car Weekend in Houston, Texas.

Species of the day- Bush Rat

2008-03-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Bush Rat

(Rattus fuscipes) is a small Australian nocturnal animal. It is an omnivore. It is one of the most common species of rats and is found in many heathland areas of Victoria and NSW. Adult Bush Rats are smaller than the Australian Swamp Rat, (Rattus lutreolus), and in addition, the Bush Rat's foot pads are a pink colour, whereas the Swamp Rat's foot pads are dark brown. [1]

The Bush Rat is one of the new endemics, having naturalised in Australia in the second wave of rat migration. [2]

Studies have been conducted by Holmsglen students in areas of Anglesea to calculate the impact fox baiting has on the population of the bush rat.

Rat word of the day- Crammock

2008-03-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

Crammock - The term given to a hammock straining to support more rats than it is structurally capable of handling.

--

I will be getting rat words from various places on the net and my own imagination, some words will be true scientific definitions while others will be humorous. I got 'Crammock' from The Dapper Rat. I found 'Crammock' to be hilarious because my girls pack into their hammocks to the point where it looks as if the hammock is going to break, yet it rarely does. usually a hammock holds 2 or 3 rats comfortably but my girls pile themselves high in a hammock. I always feel sorry for the poor rat underneath everyone but they always seem very content down here lol.

*Taken from the dapper rat- http://www.dapper.com.au/dictionary.htm

Photo not mine

New Matt Kaplin holiday drawing.

2008-03-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know.... Matt Kaplin does these wonderful holiday rat drawings for pretty much each holiday every year. Of course i had to share!!!

A little surprise

2008-03-16T16:50:00.001-07:00

Look at this little surprise i got. I'm not going to give any excuses... it's just one of my girls thought it would be a good idea to sneak ou of her cage during feeding time. It was a small litter- 3 babies. The other two are Black Berks. I've never had a baby that was a berk with a mark on it's head, usually rats with marks like this are hooded or semi-hooded, capped. Isn't he beautiful. Not sure what I'll name him. I'm thinking of naming him after one of my rainbow bridge boys. A good strong beautiful name but not sure which yet. I just had to share. I was waiting for the babies eyes to open before i shared him with the world. His mother is a black berk, the father is probably Mystic, Brandon.. i can't say 100% sure who the poppa is. Isn't this the most beautiful baby. I've never had one that looked like this. Rebecca

Rat Species of the Day - Capybara

2008-03-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

Capybara

(Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris,^[2]^[3] also known as capibara, chigüiro and carpincho in Spanish,^[4]^[5]^[6] and capivara in Portuguese^[5]) is the largest living rodent in the world.^[7] It is related to agouti, chinchillas, coyphillas, and guinea pigs.^[1] Its common name, derived from Kapiÿva in the Guarani language,^[5]^[8] while its scientific name, hydrochaeris, is Greek^[1] means "master of the grasses" for "water hog".

Capybaras have heavy, barrel-shaped bodies and short heads with reddish-brown fur on the upper part of their body that turns yellowish-brown underneath. Adult capybaras may grow to 130 centimetres (4.3 ft), and weigh up to 65 kg (140 lb).^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] Capybaras have slightly webbed feet, no tail,^[13] and 20 teeth.^[14] Their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs and their muzzles are blunt with eyes, nostrils, and ears on top of their head.^[13] Females are slightly heavier than males.^[1]

Though now extinct, there once existed larger capybaras that were eight times the size of modern capybaras (these rodents would have been larger than a grizzly bear).^[13]^[14] There is also a "lesser capybara", Hydrochoerus isthmius.^[3]

For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capybara

Rat Word of the Day- Rodentia

2008-03-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Rodentia

is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.^[1]^[2]

Forty-percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, porcupines, beavers, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs.^[1] Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most eat seeds or plants, though some have more varied
diets.

In terms of number of species — although not necessarily in terms of number of organisms (population) or biomass — rodents make up the largest order of mammals. There are about 2,277 species of rodents (Wilson and Reeder, 2005), with over 40 percent of mammalian species belonging to the order.^[3] Their success is probably due to their small size, short breeding cycle, and ability to gnaw and eat a wide variety of foods. (Lambert, 2000)

Rodents are found in vast numbers on all continents except Antarctica, most islands, and in all habitats except oceans. They are the only placental order, other than bats (Chiroptera) and Pinnipeds, to reach Australia without human introduction.

For even more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodent

Year of the RAT

2008-03-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

Year of the rat 2008
February 7, 2008 - January 25, 2009

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is a Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. First in the cycle of 12 Animal signs, Rat Year begins the sequence and recurs every twelfth year. It is a time of renewal in so many ways. From New Year to Valentine's Day, to the arrival of spring, may all the blessings and delights of the New Year be yours.

A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find. People born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive. Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.

In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.

They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner. They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities. They seem to have interests in everything and hope to participate in doing it and usually do it very well.

Following are my Chinese brush paintings to celebrate the Year of the Rat. Please click the images for more information.

Rat Years

01/31/1900 - 02/18/1901 (Metal), 02/18/1912 - 02/05/1913 (Water), 02/05/1924 - 01/24/1925 (Wood), 01/24/1936 - 02/10/1937 (Fire), 02/10/1948 - 01/28/1949 (Earth), 01/28/1960 - 02/14/1961 (Metal), 02/15/1972 - 02/02/1973 (Water), 02/02/1984 - 02/19/1985 (Wood), 02/19/1996 - 02/06/1997 (Fire), 02/07/2008 - 01/25/2009 (Earth)

An opportunist with an eye for a bargain, Rats tend to collect and hoard, but are unwilling to pay too much for anything. They are devoted to their families, particularly their children. Quick-witted and passionate, they are capable of deep emotions despite their cool exteriors. Their nervous energy and ambition may lead them to attempt more tasks than they are able to complete successfully. Rats are blessed with one of the best intellects going.

The sign of the Rat is the first one in the cycle giving Rat people exude great leadership qualities and are good at taking the lead. They don't mind a lot of responsibility and they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect. For those with the Rat nature, status and monetary satisfaction are the greatest motivation.

The affect of the sign of the Rat is energetic, and demonstrates enough endurance to fight most any sickness. Yet, all Rats tend to be tense, full of nervous energy, and prone to stress. Yoga and meditation would benefit Rats by calming their aggressive natures and helping them manage stress.

Rats make good homemakers who are always willing to do household chores. Because this is a sign of acquisition, the Rat person's house is presumably bursting with various knick-knacks collected over the years. Most Rats are cheerful, domesticated individuals who find happiness at home with their family.

The Chinese say others should always listen to the advice of the Rat. Because of their intellect and observatory powers, Rat people possess prudence and perception. They can anticipate problems, and are always able to see the big picture. Status, money, title and recognition are important to the Rat. They have keen sense of observation that allow them to foresee upcoming business opportunities as well as potential occupational problems. The Rat makes a better boss than an employee. Rats work better in flexible situations where they can be freely creative.

Cunning and thrifty, Rats have a knack with money and are apt to save for rainy days. When capable, the Rat is a great money saver, and in strapped times he knows how to make something out of nothing or how to make things advantageous for himself.

Generally friendly and sociable, the Rat is one of the extroverts of the 12 Animal signs. They have a special gift for easing the minds of others. It is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends. To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular and supportive. Although Rats like to be in the driver's seat, they do need partners who can keep up with their active lifestyles. Rat people are romantic, and are always happier to have someone to share with.

Famous Rat People

Alyssa Milano, Cameron Diaz, Charlotte Bronte, Daryl Hannah, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennie Garth, Kristen Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Lucrezia Borgia, Margaret Mitchell, Margot Kidder, Mata Hari, Nancy Wake, Olivia Newton-John, Sinead Cusack, Stevie Nicks, Toni Collette, and Tracy Pollan.

Rat Facts of the Day

2008-03-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

Rat Facts 1-5

1. Rats bathe/groom themselves 6 or more times a day
2. Rat's don't have gallbladders or tonsils
3. Rats resemble a 1.5 year old nonverbal toddler- To me they seem a bit smarter than that though
4. Rats are capable of making relatively complex assoaciations
5. They say that rats enjoy classical music.

More facts to come.

Some more rat art.

2008-03-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

This is a feature I'll be doing a lot here at WWR. I'll be showcasing various rat art from around the world and the net.

The Rat Girl

2008-03-15T16:52:00.001-07:00

Found this photo on Flickr. It's simply titled "The Rat Girl"

EDIT: oops, sorry.. Flickr doesn't let you download some Photo's. So here is the link:

http://flickr.com/photos/tingreen/2071388330/

Rat Art

2008-03-15T16:35:00.001-07:00

I just found this rat painting and had to share!!

Indian Temple

2008-03-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

I know most of us rat lovers have seen these photo but i thought I'd add it to my blog. Hopefully sometime before i leave this space and time i will get to visit this incredible place

For more pics go here:
http://www.flickzzz.com/2008/03/karni-mata-rat-temple-in-india.html

MIT researchers catch rats' twitchy whiskers in action.

2008-03-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting article

MIT researchers catch rats' twitchy whiskers in action

Cathryn M. Delude, McGovern Institute
February 27, 2008

Rats use their whiskers in a way that is closely related to the human sense of touch: Just as humans move their fingertips across a surface to perceive shapes and textures, rats twitch their whiskers to achieve the same goal. Now, in a finding that could help further understanding of perception across species, MIT neuroscientists have used high-speed video to reveal rat whiskers in action and show the tiny movements that underlie the rat's perception of its tactile environment.

Rats rely on whiskers to find their way in the dark, and they devote large areas of their brains to decoding the incoming signals, explains Christopher Moore, a member of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT and senior author of a study in the February 28th issue of Neuron. Neuroscientists interested in perception have studied the whisker system intensively, but the information conveyed to the brain by whisker motions has remained a mystery--until now.

"Now that we can see what the rat's whiskers are telling the brain, we can start to understand better how this amazing perceptual system works," says Moore, who is also an assistant professor in MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. "This understanding is relevant not only to the human sense of touch, but to all forms of perception, because every sensory organ is an interface between the mind and the external world."

What might a whisker-based sensation feel like? Imagine sweeping a stick across a picket fence. The frequency of vibrations depends on the spacing between the pickets, but the sensation in the hand is also affected by the length and flexibility of the stick and the speed of its movement.

Likewise, Moore reasoned, the whiskers' movements and mechanical properties must influence the information that they relay to the brain. The whiskers are arranged in a pattern on the snout, with the shortest ones at the front. Experiments with isolated whiskers had demonstrated that, like harp strings, shorter whiskers are 'tuned' to resonate at higher frequencies, creating a map of frequency information within the brain. But until now, no one had managed to see the detailed pattern of whisker movements in freely behaving animals.

Like the famous images MIT's Harold "Doc" Edgerton made of bullets going through apples, the slow-motion version of these new movies provides the first glimpse of the micromotions that the whiskers transmit to the rat brain.

"We knew from watching rats' behavior that there must be whisker micromotions that were too rapid to measure using available recording techniques," explains Jason Ritt, a postdoctoral scientist in Moore's lab and first author of the study. Ritt therefore spent several years developing a video system that captures whisker movements at a rate of 3,200 frames per second --- 100 times faster than typical home videos --- and an automatic tracking system to analyze the resulting deluge of video data, about 1 gigabyte per second.

For the experiments, the researchers trained rats to choose either a smooth or a rough surface using their whiskers. Correct choices were rewarded with chocolate milk, and the whisker movements were captured on video. Analysis of the video revealed an unexpectedly complex pattern of movements, including periodic 'waves' of motion when the rat touched a smooth surface, and irregular, large and high-velocity movements when contacting a rough surface.

"These patterns are larger and more complex than anything previously observed in anesthetized animals or plucked whiskers, but they are the key to a rat's perceptions and behavior," comments Moore.

This study was supported by grants from the NIH and NSF, a predoctoral fellowship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to second author Mark L. Andermann, and a Burroughs Wellcome Career Award at the Scientific Interface to Ritt.

A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 5, 2008 (download PDF).