Rat Project Rat Care Proper handling is essential to the safety of the rodent and student. Move slowly and calmly, making no sudden moves that might frighten the animal. Move one hand beneath the rat and cup the other hand around and over it. Do not pick the rodents up by the tail. Care should be taken not to squeeze or confine the rodent too tightly or the rat may scratch or bite in defense. A fall to the floor can injure or kill a small rodent, so be careful when lifting and carrying your rat. As the rat becomes more accustomed to handling, they will become more docile and struggle less. Rats will present few health or safety risks if their cages, water bottles and food dishes are kept clean and bedding is changed regularly. We will be changing bedding weekly. Thorough washing of hands after contact with the rats or any of their food or bedding. Do not eat or drink while handling the rats or their apparatus. Rodents can be kept at normal room temperatures, and if adequate food supply and water is available, they can be left unattended over weekends. During the week, we will be feeding and weighing the rats daily and checking their water supply. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes, rats are susceptible to colds and pneumonia.
Rat Background Information Rats are vertebrates, that means that they have a backbone. They belong to the class mammalia, the hair-covered, milk-feeding animals. The rat belongs to the order Rodentia which has three sub-orders one of which is the sub-order of mouse-like rodents. Rodents are characterized by their large incisors, small bodies and eyes on either side of their heads. They are largely herbivores. The best known rat is the brown rat. It varies in length from 6 to 12 inches with a long, scaly tail, which is about the same length as its body. Brown rats are prolific breeders, the females can breed at 3 months. The gestation period is a short 21 - 24 days. Litter size can vary from 6 to 12 pups and litters may follow one another in rapid succession. The brown rat probably originated in southeastern Asia, arriving in North America in the 17th century. The rat can live just about anywhere. Outdoor habitats include: farms, drainage ditches and sewers, the seashore and in dumps. The brown rat can burrow along foundations of buildings and up drains. Its home range is usually less than 100 feet. The rat has a strong exploratory urge and it feeds on anything that is edible, making it a very persistent pest. It is a major pest to stored foods of all kinds and its ability to transmit a great number of diseases makes its control of great economic and health importance.
Project Description We will be conducting a six week long dietary study with our rats. Students will be working in pairs, and assigned a food to feed their rat. Rats will be weighed daily, and length measured weekly. Data will be tabulated daily in the table provided. A graph of the rats growth is also to be completed. At the end of the study, the class will share their data and determine which diet works the best. In addition to the dietary study, each pair will be responsible for a behavioral study, that will be conducted during the last three weeks of the rats stay. Each pair will meet with Mrs Schorr to decide what study they will be implementing. Examples would be maze studies, habitat preferences, etc. At the end of the six weeks, each student will turn in a completed data table, graphs (properly labeled) of weight and length, a paragraph summary of their own rats growth and the class data results. They will each submit any data collected on their behavior study and a summary of results obtained. The whole project will be worth 100 points. There will also be a percentage of points given towards general behavior. Any mistreatment of the rats will cause immediate expulsion from the project and a grade of zero for the whole project will be given. No warnings, no second chances! If a student wishes to keep their rat, great! They will need a note signed by their parents stating that its ok, as well as a cage and water botttle of their own. Any rats not adopted by their students can be adopted by any one from the school who will give them a good home. Rats that are not adopted then will be sold back to the pet store. Remember that this is a long project, be sure that you pick a partner that you can work well with. If you are a little squeemish about working with rats, pick a partner who isn’t. Be sure that you still do your part of the work, though! I hope that you enjoy this project!
|