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| − | A '''rat''' is a medium-sized [[rodent]] found on all inhabited [[continent]]s. They live on garbage in slums and are also often known to carry disease. The [bubonic plague]] which killed one third the population of Europe is attributed to rats which carried plague-infected | + | A '''rat''' is a medium-sized [[rodent]] found on all inhabited [[continent]]s. They live on garbage in slums and are also often known to carry disease. The [[bubonic plague]] which killed one third the population of Europe is attributed to rats which carried plague-infected |
| | fleas living in their fur. The [[taxonomy|genus]] ''Rattus'' includes over 50 species. | | fleas living in their fur. The [[taxonomy|genus]] ''Rattus'' includes over 50 species. |
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| − | ==Habitat==
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| | Rats are capable of surviving in a wide range of different environments ranging from grasslands, forests, urban settlements, ships, and the unforgiving [[arctic]]. They tend to thrive around [[human beings]]. | | Rats are capable of surviving in a wide range of different environments ranging from grasslands, forests, urban settlements, ships, and the unforgiving [[arctic]]. They tend to thrive around [[human beings]]. |
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| − | ==Diet==
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| | Rats can survive on an extremely diverse diet, including [[seed]]s, [[fruit]]s, small [[bird]]s and [[mammal]]s, scraps and even garbage. | | Rats can survive on an extremely diverse diet, including [[seed]]s, [[fruit]]s, small [[bird]]s and [[mammal]]s, scraps and even garbage. |
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| − | ==Pets== | + | ==Domesticated rats== |
| | Rats can be kept as pets, although it is unwise for a child to try to tame a wild rat found in a slum. Like gerbils and hamsters, they must be raised in a sterile environment before brought into your home, lest an accidental bite infect you with a deadly disease. | | Rats can be kept as pets, although it is unwise for a child to try to tame a wild rat found in a slum. Like gerbils and hamsters, they must be raised in a sterile environment before brought into your home, lest an accidental bite infect you with a deadly disease. |
| | They are usually kept in a [[cage]] or a [[terrarium]], sometimes with other rats or [[mice]]. Domestic rats are curious, clean, and gentle creatures with a lifespan of approximately three years. | | They are usually kept in a [[cage]] or a [[terrarium]], sometimes with other rats or [[mice]]. Domestic rats are curious, clean, and gentle creatures with a lifespan of approximately three years. |
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| | [[category:Rodents]] | | [[category:Rodents]] |