When most people think of a rat, they think of a dirty, unsafe pest sneaking through sewers or hiding in homes. But domestic rats can actually be very clean pets that are fun and safe for the whole family! Here are 20 facts you might not know about rats.

1. Rats are incredibly intelligent; they can be trained to come when their name is called or do tricks.

2. Contrary to their infamous reputation, rats clean themselves meticulously and can even learn to use a litter box.

3. A rat can go without drinking water longer than a camel can.

4. Rats are very social pets. Ideally, at least two rats should live together in a cage.

5. When it is especially happy, a rat may grind its teeth, which sometimes can cause its eyes to appear to vibrate. Along with chewing, this grinding can keep rats’ ever-growing teeth short and healthy.

6. Rats have belly buttons, but not tonsils or gallbladders.

7. Rats can squeeze themselves through holes as small as a quarter.

8. Most species of rats are fairly small, but the Gambian Pouched Rat, native to Africa, can weigh as much as 15 pounds. It has been used in Africa as both a food source and a tool for detecting land mines, as it can walk over the mines without detonating them.

9. Rats have terrible eyesight. Sometimes they sway back and forth as a way of detecting motion.

10. Using their long tails as a source of balance, rats are skilled climbers.

11. Rats are excellent swimmers. They can stay afloat by treading water for up to three days before drowning.

12. A group of rats is called a mischief.

13. Rats should never be given cedar or pine shavings as bedding. These soft woods contain toxins that can damage the kidneys, livers and respiratory systems of rats and other small pets.

14. A rat’s teeth are strong enough to chew through cinderblocks.

15. Rats can eat chocolate in small amounts.

16. A pet rat may seem very quiet, but many of the noises it makes are communicated at a frequency too high for humans to hear.

17. When cared for as a pet, a rat will usually live for two to three years.

18. Rats cannot vomit.

19. Instead of sweating, rats regulate their body temperature with their tails. This is done by expanding or contracting the blood vessels found there.

20. Much like dog shows or 4H competitions, the rat-loving community has rat shows.

As you can see, rats can be much cuter and cleaner than their reputation leads most people to believe!

Sources:

http://www.onekind.org/be_inspired/animals_a_z/rat/

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=6067&articleid=1272

http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/publications/ratsfactsheet.pdf

http://www.discover-pet-rats.com/

http://wererat.net/ratfacts.htm

http://discovermagazine.com/2006/dec/20-things-rats

http://listverse.com/2012/04/09/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-rats/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-karen-becker/pet-rats_b_4017384.html

http://understandingpetfancyrats.com/25-great-fancy-pet-rat-facts/

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-truth-about-pet-rats