Rats can make great pets. They are loving, they can be taught some basic commands, and they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Despite their differences, all pet rats are descended from the brown rat, or Rattus norvegicus, and have a blunt nose, small eyes and ears, and a tail equal to their body length, although some variants have genetic differences such as no hair or even ears.

House Rat.

Basic things to know about the ornamental rat:

• Suitable for novice owners.
• House rats grow to 18-25 cm in length with a tail of 15-20 cm.
• Life span: rats live about 2 years.
• Behavior: they are most active during the day.
• Learning: they are very intelligent and can learn some commands.
• Features: they have poor eyesight and stagger when standing still to recognize movement.
• They are good at swimming, jumping and climbing, and have keen hearing, smell, taste and touch.

Varieties of ornamental rats
Ornamental rats belong to one species, Rattus norvegicus, also known as the “brown rat.” They have a tail about the same length as their body, a rather blunt nose, and small eyes and ears.

In nature, R. norvegicus have one body shape, one type of hair and mostly one color. However, genetic mutations occurred naturally in the pet population, then were selected and bred. As a result, pet rats now have a wide range of coat colors and textures and two ear positions. This is what we mean when we talk about varieties of rats – they are still one species and can crossbreed, but they do not have the same appearance.

The word variety can be used in many different ways in the rat world:

• it can indicate whether the coat is smooth or curly,
• the shape of the ears,
• or what color the coat is.

As a result, all rats fall into several varieties – for example, you can own a Rex (coat type), a Dumbo (ear type), a Black (color), and a Hooded (marking).

1. House Rat.
   Also known as the common rat because it has not undergone any form of genetic mutation. This breed is recognized by its ears, which are just behind the eyes, on the top of the head. Its body is broad, slender and rounded, and its whiskers are smooth and very straight.

The house rat usually has white, black or dark brown fur, and its tail is very long, but at the same time thin.

2. Menck rat.
   Menkes rats are easy to spot because they are born tailless or with a very small tail. They are much smaller than regular rats and, in comparison, their bodies are shorter and rounder.

A rat’s tail is used to regulate body temperature and balance, and the absence of a tail in a Menx rat means it is more susceptible to various diseases.

3. bald or hairless rats
   As the name suggests, this rat breed is completely bald. However, it may have a thin layer of fur-like down all over its body. They have short, wavy whiskers, and their lack of fur means they are very smooth to the touch.
4. Dumbo Rat.
   As you can imagine, this rat was named after Dumbo because of its large and wide ears, similar to the famous elephant. Unlike the common house rat, the Dumbo rat has lower ears and a more stocky body.

It has very short, thin fur and can be found in a variety of colors; the most common are white, gray, light gray, and light brown.

5. Rat Rex.
   The rat Rex is one of the largest domestic rats. They have a lot of hair all over their body except for their abdomen. However, there is another species known as the Double Rex, which is practically bald. Its whiskers are short and curly.

In addition to these types, pet rats are also classified by hair type, color, and possible traits. The markings also have certain names, such as Berkshire or Irish.

How do you create the right habitat for rats?
Ornamental rats are social and can be kept in pairs, but to prevent breeding, it is best to pair rats of the same sex. There should be a hiding place in their home. Shelters should be easy to clean (wooden houses are not recommended). Edible houses add value by encouraging normal chewing behavior.

• Place your rat in an environment that is at least 61 x 30 x 30 cm, with multiple levels.
• Place the habitat out of direct sunlight in an area with low humidity and a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius.
• Cover the residence with at least a few inches of paper litter or wood shavings (cedar shavings are not recommended). Clean the bedding frequently and change it monthly.
• Clean up stashes on a regular basis.
• Before buying new pets, make sure you can give them enough time. Rats need at least an hour of exercise outside their cage daily, and while they are wonderful pets, they should not be left unsupervised with young children.