Rats

Though numerous rodent species are called rats and are physically similar to rats, only those belonging to the genus Rattus are "true" rats. The most common rat subfamily, those identified as pests and kept as pets, are Brown Rats, though Black Rats are also very common. Rats are very closely related to mice, although distinguishable by their size, which is usually more than five inches in length. While millions are killed each year in laboratory experiments, rats are considered valuable to researchers due to the ease with which they can be bred and their relatively quick rate of growth.

Most rats that are kept as pets or research animals are Brown Rats. They they have been misnamed the Norway Rat, they are now thought to be indigenous to China. Over centuries, Brown Rats spread by boat, and now thrive virtually wherever there are people.

• Amazon.com: Oh Rats! The Story of Rats and People

• Barnes & Noble: The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe

• Animal World: Rat Gifts

• Pest Products: Humane Live Traps

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