The characteristics of a healthy rat
The laboratory rat is the domesticated form of the species Rattus Norvegicus. This species lives in shallow tunnels and burrows
, usually in the vicinity of water. The animal tends to avoid open spaces. There are currently over 400 outbred and inbred strains, all derived from the wild rat via a specific selection pathway. A healthy laboratory rat is alert, curious, engages in social interactions
, looks well-nourished and clean, and is vivacious. The extent to which a rat can satisfy species-specific behavioral needs, determines in no small measure its state of well-being. Knowledge of wild rat behavior is an important frame of reference for evaluating the behavioral repertoire of laboratory rats.
Rats have a short lifespan with an associated high metabolic rate and rapid maturation and reproduction. In general they have large litters.
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| Three healthy rats in cage. Animals are alert, active, have a flat coat, well groomed and with faeces of normal consistency in the cage. |
Two rats with diarrhea. Animal in front has a dirty coat, not well groomed and has lost weight (sunken flanks). In the left side of the cage a large bolus of soft stool can be seen.
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