fancy rats
Bred pet rodents
Fancy rats are domesticated brown rats bred and kept as pets.
The term distinguishes them from wild rats or laboratory rats—"fancy" here means bred for particular traits, as in dog or pigeon fanciers.
They come in various coat colors, patterns, and textures, and are valued for their intelligence and sociability: She keeps fancy rats and lets them ride on her shoulder.
Controlled reproduction for traits
- domesticationAdapting species to captivity
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- strainsVarieties, injuries, or sifts
- varietiesDistinct forms within category
albino · dumbo · hairless · satin · blue · agouti · siamese · pedigree
Facial sensory hairs
- tailRear animal appendage
- scurryingHasty, light-footed motion
- nibblingEating in small bites
- pawsAnimal feet
ears · incisors · fur · snout · vibrissae · claws · hindquarters · thermoregulation
Barred confinement structure
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- litterScattered waste or debris
- water bottleContainer for drinking liquid
- exercise wheelSpinning disk for captive animals
toys · chewable · diet · pellets · fresh vegetables · treats · hammock · hideaway
Able to be taught
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- tricksDeceptive acts or techniques
maze · smart · cognition · clicker training · name recognition · fetch · agility course · recall
Dependent territorial settlement
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- bondingForming close connections
- companionshipState of having company
playful · wrestling · boggling · communication · introduction · mischief · pair · affiliative
selective breeding
Controlled reproduction for traits
- domesticationAdapting species to captivity
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- strainsVarieties, injuries, or sifts
varieties · albino · dumbo · hairless · satin · blue · agouti · siamese · pedigree · litter
whiskers
Facial sensory hairs
paws · ears · incisors · fur · snout · vibrissae · claws · hindquarters · thermoregulation · scent glands
cage
Barred confinement structure
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- litterScattered waste or debris
- water bottleContainer for drinking liquid
exercise wheel · toys · chewable · diet · pellets · fresh vegetables · treats · hammock · hideaway · nesting material
trainable
Able to be taught
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- memoryMind's retention capacity
tricks · maze · smart · cognition · clicker training · name recognition · fetch · agility course · recall · socialization
colony
Dependent territorial settlement
companionship · playful · wrestling · boggling · communication · introduction · mischief · pair · affiliative · squeaking
fancy ratsvermin
Harmful small animals
sewer rats · pests · plague rats · nuisance animals · infestations
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