People have prejudices about and fears towards rats; they are misunderstood creatures. However, for a large segment of the population, the rodents are cherished pets. The fancy rat is the most common breed of domesticated or pet rat. The name fancy rat derives from the idea of animal fancy (the promotion of domesticated animals) or the phrase "to fancy" (meaning to like or appreciate). Wild-caught specimens that become docile and bred for many generations still fall under the fancy type. In this book, animal activist and photographer Diane Ozdamar shares compelling, personality-filled portraits and stories about rats she’s fostered, leading the way to help the countless rats currently living in animal shelters to find loving homes. The stories that accompany the portraits will give readers a sense of each subject’s unique personality, fascinating behaviors, and social interactions. In addition, özdamar provides tips about rats’ care and maintenance and explains how to adopt rescue rats, how many rats to adopt, and why. Readers will also get a behind-the-scenes look at özdamar’s photographic approach, including how she uses a mini photo studio to produce such images. She provides quick photography tips for people who’d like to take pictures of their rats, lending the confidence they need to enjoy their own creative photo shoots.

Nervous pet rat owners (or those who want to get one), if you don't know much about rats but would like your little ratties to be happy and healthy, and stop them from chewing everything, going to the bathroom on you, biting you, and more... then this could be the most important book you'll ever read. Pet rat expert Colin Patterson's complete system will have your ratties trusting you as their close friend, doing neat tricks that impress your friends, and living as long as possible. Even if you're almost never home, you're a total beginner, and you don't have time to read through volumes of time consuming material!

These animals' intelligence makes them fun to watch as they solve problems and engage in playful antics. Includes information on caging, feeding, breeding, health maintenance.

Rats are friendly pets that love to chew. They happily nibble snacks. Then they give themselves baths! These critters make great pets, and this title proves it. The book is a guide for pet rat care, including what they eat, where they live, and how they play. The fun text combines with a profile, a supply list, and a care duties checklist to create an engaging primer on pet rats!

Provides information about rats, including their anatomy, special skills, habitat, and diet.

Text and photographs follow a twelve-year-old girl as she learns to care for her pet rat.