Rat

Well-known species of rat are the Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus; the Black Rat, Rattus rattus; the Rice Rat[?], Rattus argentiventer, and the Indian Mole Rat, Bandicota bengalensis.

These four common varieties of rat often live with and near humans, share their food and spread disease. The Black Plague is believed to have been spread by rat-borne parasites. Rats are also blamed for damaging food supplies and other goods. They have a very poor reputation; "rat" is an insult and "to rat on someone" is to betray them by denouncing a crime or misdeed they committed to the authorities.

Nevertheless, many people keep rats as pets; some fanciers have developed exotic varieties and colours of rat. Rats are also used as experimental specimens, sometimes being bred for that purpose.

Many other species of rat exist, including the wood or pack rats, the Polynesian Rat[?] and a number of species loosely called kangaroo rats.

The rat (or mouse) is also one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. It is thought that each animal is associated with certain personality traits.

Rats might eat each other in stressful environments or when the number of rats in a space is very high, but cannibalism to prevent diseases from spreading is normal, where dead rats are eaten before they start spreading diseases.

Further Reading

• The Story of Rats: Their Impact on Us, and Our Impact on Them, S. Anthony Barnett, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, Australia, 2002, trade paperback, 202 pages, ISBN 1-86508-519-7. Monograph by an experienced "rat" man. Nice bibliography.