What is the difference between wild rats and domesticated rats

The colors of pet rats vary because of cross-breeding over the years. The pink-eyed white rat is one of the most fancied rats since the 19th century. Wild rats have a tendency to puff their fur in order to appear bigger to their predators when they sense danger. Pet rats, on the other hand, will not exhibit puffed fur although some may show wavy fur when scared or cold.

Wild rats are always moving. Therefore, they will appear to be standing on their fours with their backs arched partially ready to leap forward. Under fearful situations, they will be flipping their tails ready to strike if they get cornered. However, pet rats seem to be relaxed with little motion.

Wild rats are anti-social. They tend to run away from humans when they spot them, and will only stick around if there is food.

They are unfriendly and will get defensive if they get cornered and in extreme cases, will bite. Even with their fellow rats, they will only come together when mating. On the other hand, fancy rats have few adrenal glands; hence calmer and friendly towards people and other domestic rats. Albeit being friendly, domesticated rats may also bite if threatened. When these rats are taken out of their typical environment, they will react differently. If wild rats are captured and confined, they will respond frantically due to exposure to sharp lights and limited hiding places.

Under such circumstances, most wild rats will die prematurely while the survivors will be stressed to the extent of reproductive impairment. If they will manage to mate, they will initially produce few litters which will normalize down successive generations. How can I tell the difference between a wild rat and a domesticated fancy, pet rat? That's actually a really good question. And it's a determination that, to a person unfamilar with rats and even to some familar with rats , is particularly challenging.

It's challenging because there is no "Rattus Domesticus" species. Unlike comparing a basset hound to a wolf, you won't be able to just look at the basset hound and say "well, he sure does have big ears - guess he's tame! They share what we have to offer and they thrive on our sloppiness, but they do not like us per se as we are a threat we are predators. If you approach a wild rat, and he is not incapacitated in any way, he will run from you bolt , not toward you.

Coloring: In general, a wild rat will be some shade of variegated brown with a lighter brown under-belly. There are different types of wild rats, however, some of which are more of a solid black and smaller , some of which have a white underbelly and are also smaller. Fur: A wild rat, if he perceives a threat which you are , will puff up his fur.

Domestic rats have been genetically selected against living in the wild: e. This way humans specifically researchers for the purposes of laboratory rats which is why domesticated rats were originally bred can work with them. Scientists have proven that by genetically selecting less agressive members of a for example pack of foxes and then breeding with those animals displaying less agressive behaviour, they have changed the instinctual characterestics of the animal even hair colour changed in foxes that were selectively bred.

However, domesticated rats will also bite humans if they feel threatened, though this rarely occurs. Rats naturally grow to lengths of between 11 to 12 inches.

In the wild, most rats do not live long enough to reach their full growing potential. Most wild rats peak at 9 to 10 inches. Also, wild rats are more wiry than domesticated rats since they are not constantly fed by humans.

The only time wild rats appear large is if they are puffing up their fur to make them appear larger to predators. Domesticated rats are heavier than wild rats and not as lean. This is largely due to the lack of exercise the rats receive in their controlled environments.

Since they have longer life spans, domesticated rats grow up to 11 or 12 inches. The coats of domesticated rats vary in color. Many of these rats are brown, but others are tan, beige, gray and black. The different fur colors of domesticated rats are the result of cross-breeding.