Comment by rpcope1
11 years ago
On a related note, brown rats make excellent pets, just so long as you don't let them breed and have your own population problems. I guess it's no surprise they're as prolific as they are, when they're probably the smartest small mammal out there and incredibly resilient to just about everything at that. My own rats answer to names and can perform simple tricks, sort of miles ahead intellectually than any other animal their size. They're also very loving animals, once they get to know you.
And breed they can! If a male rat as much as touches a female rat -even through the bars of a cage- you can consider the female impregnated.
But, yeah, they're awesome pets.
I've owned many rodents throughout my childhood. Rats were by far the most interested in socially engaging and bonding with me. It was almost like having a dog.