Rats also have a fairly large fat pad present within the scrotum; which can make the testes look even bigger than they actually are.
When many males mate with the same females, males of that species tend to have larger testes. This enables them to produce more sperm, to help them outcompete other males who might have partnered with the female and increase the chances of passing on their own genes.
To determine the sex of the rat, you need to look at the anogenital distance, which is the space between their anus and urethra. Male rats, known as bucks, have more distance between their anus and urethra than female rats, which are known as does. Bucks may have their scrotum visible but may also be retracted.
At about 9-10 days old, too, you can start to see the hint of the testicles shape appearing on your male rat, but the testes do not fully descend until about 5 weeks old, the age of sexual maturation.
Cryptorchidism is a condition where the testes (testicles) do not descend into the scrotum but remain in the abdomen or the inguinal canal. The condition is congenital, occurring during fetal development, and may be caused from any anomaly that prevents or interrupts the testes from descending normally.
A lump in the neck region of a rat may be an abscess, an inflamed salivary gland, a swollen lymph node, or a tumor. Salivary glands can enlarge as an inflammatory response to the Sialodacryoadenitis (SDA) virus or a bacterial infection. A lymph node can enlarge in response to a bacterial infection or cancer.
Basic Rat feeding guide
Some examples of suitable fruit and vegetables are: apples, pears, banana, melons, stone fruits, citrus fruits, broccoli, cabbage (not red cabbage), endive, carrots, Bok choy/other Asian greens, celery, parsley, berries, fresh corn (small amount only) and peas.
Unlike most small pets, rats love being picked up and handled by their human owners. While rats do enjoy human interaction, they'll need to be picked up and handled from a young age so they're used to it. Rats rarely bite and their larger size makes them easier to pick up.
Quivering/Vibrating
This behaviour is literally the rats feeling something too intensely for them to express. It can be a sign of nerves, but can also be a sign of intense excitement or apprehension. To try and judge what exactly your rat is feeling so intensely you have to look at it's overall body language.
Play fighting in the rat involves attack and defense of the nape of the neck, which if contacted, is gently nuzzled with the snout. Because the movements of one animal are countered by the actions of its partner, play fighting is a complex, dynamic interaction.
Male rats tend to be quite cuddly and affectionate pets with a mellow temperament. They are likely to enjoy snuggling up with you for some head scratches. If you want a more independent and adventurous companion, a female rat may be the pet for you. Female rats are quite active and like to get busy exploring.
Some people believe male rats move slower, cuddle more, and are more easygoing. Females are known for being playful, energetic, and less likely to cuddle.
Gender: Although all rats have individual personalities, females tend to be smaller, more active, and playful, while males are often larger, more mellow, and snuggly.
The manufacturer recommends using the 11½ inch ball for juvenile rats and small breeds, and the 13 inch ball for adult and large rats. 8.
Northern Giant Mouse Lemurs Have Enormous Testicles.
The mean vertical, transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the left testis were 1.89 ± 0.029 cm, 0.91 ± 0.043 and 0.88 ± 0.039 cm whereas diameters of the right testis were 1.88 ± 0.030, 0.91 ± 0.032 and 0.87 ± 0.033 cm respectively (Table 2).
Excited rats may also jump, hop, or “popcorn” when they are happy. They may run excitedly at full speed around the house or enclosure—just like how dogs get the “zoomies.”
If your rat nibbles or licks you, he or she might be showing you affection by grooming you. Rats also have an excellent sense of smell, so your rat might nibble or lick your hand or smell you after you eat or prepare food.
Other than that, male rats are really cool. They're cuddly, relaxed, and kind of lazy. They're bigger than females, which just adds to their cuddle factor, and surprisingly affectionate. You do have to be careful when housing male rats together.
Rats might show affection by greeting one another with a friendly sniff or nose-touch, or by grooming one another - and it's thought that they'll even help each other target those hard-to-reach spots! They'll also huddle together, even when it's warm (so we know they're not just doing it to keep cosy).
Do not kiss, nuzzle, or hold rats close to your face. This can startle your rats and also increase your chances of being bitten.
Rats make lifelong bonds with their owners Ask any rat owner, and he or she will tell you: Rats recognize their owners and respond to their sight and voice. They are very social and love to hang out with human family members on the couch or on peoples' shoulders or in their laps.
Avoid harmful foods such as onion, citrus fruits, walnuts, rhubarb, grapes, raisins and chocolate. Avoid sugars and high-fat foods such as dairy. Rats like sweet and fatty food, but it can cause health problems if they eat too much of it, so only use these as treats and rewards during training.
Fruit and berries — Out of all the foods rodents consume, their top two loves are generally fruits and berries. In the wild, rats and mice consume these foods at every opportunity. Therefore, raspberry and blackberry bushes — as well as apple and pear trees — can serve as magnets for the animals.
Rats are extremely sociable and really thrive when they have the companionship of other rats. Lone rats crave this attention so will often become depressed or display aggressive or nervous behaviour.