Content
- Difference between rat and rat (or twister rat)
- Twister rats at home
- How to adopt a twister mouse
- How to make a twister mouse cage
- The socialization between the twister mouse and the tutor
- How to care for a twister mouse
- How long does a twister mouse live?
Rodents are nowadays considered excellent companion animals and more and more, we find people who have chosen to share their home with these friendly creatures, being common for the hamster, the guinea pig, the squirrel, the gerbil or the mouse are adopted as pets.
What is perhaps not so common is taking a rat or twister rat as a pet, as we WRONGLY associate this animal with dirt and disease. However, it can also be considered a domestic rodent, as the twister rat can easily adapt to life in a human home.
In this PeritoAnimal article, we are going to talk about the rat or twister rat as pet, trying to clarify any doubts that may arise about it.
Difference between rat and rat (or twister rat)
Among the many domestic rodents that exist, many people confuse rats and twister rats, ignoring that the two do not belong to the same species. Although they share some characteristics, their size and small details like the size of the paws and ears highlight the differences between the two. In the following image, you can see the differences between rats and rats (or twister rats) clearly:
Twister rats at home
Twister rats are above all very sociable animals, whenever they stay in a group or as a couple. This indicates that having only one twister rat is not recommended, as loneliness can even cause stress and depression in this rodent.
As companion animals, rats are exceptional, since they are very affectionate, playful rodents and, in addition, have a great intelligence, which even allows them to learn simple tricks.
It is important that twister rats are domesticated from their pups, which will facilitate their adaptation to the home environment. Once the twister rat has passed the adjustment period (in which it can be a little shy and suspicious), it will develop a strong attachment to its owner. In fact, rats need the guardian's daily presence and affection to enjoy a full state of well-being.
How to adopt a twister mouse
Despite being an animal that requires little care, it is important to understand that we are responsible for covering all the rat's needs to guarantee a state of physical, psychological and social well-being. Therefore, as tutors we must understand that we cannot adopt just one twister mouse and that, at the very least, there must be two.
The best thing is to have two twister rats of the same sex, which are preferably female, as males can be more aggressive to each other (not if they are sterilized).
It is also possible to receive a female and a male rat, however, they must separate at 6 or 8 weeks of age, when they reach puberty (and therefore can reproduce).
The origin of your twister mouse is also important, and for this it is preferable to contact one of the several refuges that house rodents like the rescue. We recommend that you opt for one of the larger individuals, as they are the ones with the least chance of being adopted.
How to make a twister mouse cage
If you want to adopt a twister mouse, it is essential to have the following tools to provide you with an appropriate environment:
- The cage must be large, each individual must have a space of 0.23 square meters, as a minimum.
- The cage should have a food container, a water cooler and a house or nest that the rat can use as a hiding place.
- The floor of the cage must be covered with wood shavings. avoid pine, cedar or poplar shavings, since in contact with the twister rat's urine it can cause irritation of the respiratory tract.
- Offer 12 milliliters of compound feed for rodents daily and supplement your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Consult your local veterinarian to find out about twister rat food.
- Twister rats like cheese, however, it's not recommended it can cause obesity.
- The rats need to be entertained to channel their great curiosity in this way. So put different twister mouse toys in the cage.
In the following video on the Pop Creature channel, you can check out more information about twister rat care and cage preparation:
The socialization between the twister mouse and the tutor
the rat needs your presence and interaction on a daily basis, remember that it is an animal capable of developing a great attachment to its owner.
You should take care of your twister rats every day and pay attention to them for approximately 10 minutes and several times a day. If it is not possible to dedicate this time to rodents, it might not be a good idea to welcome this type of rodent into your home.
It is also important that twister rats can perform daily exercise outside the cage, so the tutor must be willing to offer a bigger space in his house, not just inside his cage.
How to care for a twister mouse
To keep your pet in great health, in addition to taking into account all the information previously exposed, the tutor should clean it at least every 3 days, in addition to performing a thorough disinfection and cleaning of the cage approximately once a week.
To disinfect a twister rat's cage, you cannot use bleach as it can be highly irritating, so we recommend that you consult your local veterinary center for the disinfectant you can use for this pet.
How long does a twister mouse live?
A rat or twister mouse can live up to 3 years, since it is a resistant animal, although it has a high risk of developing cancer.
It is important to recognize what the signs that tell us something is not right with a twister mouse:
- Tall or bumps on the skin
- Reddened, irritated and inflamed skin
- continuous desire to scratch
In the presence of one or more of these signs, it is important that the tutor or tutor consults the veterinarian as soon as possible.