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NORWAY RAT.
Term Paper ID:22493
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Essay Subject:
History, nomenclature, domestication, lifespan, diet, behavior, laboratory use.... More...
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5 Pages / 1125 Words
9 sources, 28 Citations,
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Paper Abstract:
History, nomenclature, domestication, lifespan, diet, behavior, laboratory use.
Paper Introduction:
The Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
The Norway rat is easily maintained and relatively resistant to disease. During the past century, R. norvegicus has become increasingly important as a laboratory animal. At present, the rodent is extensively employed in both biomedical and behavioral research studies.
Rattus norvegicus adult males range in weight from 450 to 520 grams. In contrast, at between 250 and 300 grams, the females of the species are somewhat smaller (2:49). The animal's coat is typically brown, although mink, pearl, and albino mutants do exist. The mink rat is a light brown with a variable light or white undercolor; the pearl rat is white with dark brown pigment in the tips of its hairs (7:142).
The zoological nomenclature for the Norway rat was devised
Text of the Paper:
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Thefirst few days following delivery are very delicate: Excessive handling,loud noises, a lack of nesting material, or other disturbances may cause afemale rat to destroy her young. Inevitably, albinos were trapped. 2. However, in itsrole as a laboratory animal, the organism has made a significantcontribution to the advance of science. Fighting amongadults occurs rarely. 1 9:446-454; 1995, June. Bethesda, Md.: U.S. Finally, rat cages should be at least 18centimeters high (2:47-54). The mink rat is a light brownwith a variable light or white undercolor; the pearl rat is white with darkbrown pigment in the tips of its hairs (7:142). 3. The spectatorswagered on how length of time it took the dog to kill all the rats. After abouta week, the young will begin to grow hair and their eyes will open. For example, many birdsof prey depend on small rodents as a source of food. The wild ratespecially likes to burrow. During the past century, R. The biology and medicine of rabbits and rodents. 4. The animal has no obvious connection to Norway. The average lifespan for the species is rather broad. Should the young survive though, theywill be weaned at 21 days. B. Females with litters each require 1, squarecentimeters of floor space. However, it iswidely believed that the organism originated in the temperate regions ofcentral Asia (2:47-54). norvegicus has considerable economic valueto humans. As a laboratory animal, R. In fact, it is rumored that rats can even gnaw throughconcrete. In temperate climates, R. Retrieval of inedible objects by Norway rats after habituation of gnawing: Resistance to satiation? Like other murinerodents, its dental formula is 1/1 incisors and 3/3 molars. norvegicus has become increasinglyimportant as a laboratory animal. It should also be mentioned that the rat is an important link in thefood chain. The rats sharenursing responsibilities. In captivity, Norway rats breed all yearlong. Weaning is a communal event. 41:997-1 5; 1991, June. While wild rats consume a varied diet, commercial diets are availablefor captive rats. 8. The female rat is usually ready to mate again only 2 to 4 dayspostweaning (2:47-54). Around 18 , there was a popular sportin England and France called rat-baiting. norvegicus populations will persist into the future.Under certain circumstances, the Norway rat may be a pest. norvegicus is very active. Forexample, certain olfactory cues may attract rats to food sites. C. At present, the rodent is extensivelyemployed in both biomedical and behavioral research studies. These Norway rat subgroups differ with respect toecologic and genetic variables (2:47-54). Olfactory stimuli are important determinants ofwhat a rat will and will not eat (5:446). Animal Behaviour. In extremely cold areas,however, the rat can only survive within man-made shelters (6:1-6). For the most part, litter sizedecreases and litter interval increases with the approach of sexualsenescence. Excretory deposits surrounding food sites facilitate social learning of food preferences in Norway rats. E.; Wagner, J. Ofcourse, these spectacles required the collection of large numbers ofanimals. In addition, there should be at least 259square centimeters of floor space for every adult rat (i.e., 3 grams andover) (2:47-54). Rats' meal-ending rules in depicting patches. These cuescould involve gonadal steroids such as testosterone. norvegicus belongs to the animal kingdom, the Phylum Chordata,and the Class Mammalia. Harkness, J. In addition, Laland &Plotkin (1991) found that excretory deposits (i.e., fecal, urinal, andother deposits) also attract rats to unmarked food sites (4:997-1 5). Females can produceyoung when they are between 4 and 5 months of age. Natural selection hasendowed it with a truly remarkable gnawing apparatus. Given the opportunity, a colony of rats mayconstruct an entire burrow system (1:15). It ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 years(2:47-54). The Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus) The Norway rat is easily maintained and relatively resistant todisease. Rattus norvegicus adult males range in weight from 45 to 52 grams.In contrast, at between 25 and 3 grams, the females of the species aresomewhat smaller (2:49). 49:17 7-17 9; 1995, June. The animal's coat is typically brown, althoughmink, pearl, and albino mutants do exist. Behavioral Neuroscience. Various researchers havedetermined that many patterns of behavior are socially transmitted. 9. Plastic cagesusually have solid floors. G. This abilityto expand biomass sustains a variety of predators. By the mid-nineteenthcentury, the albinos were being used in scientific experimentation (2:47-54). norvegicusfemales may bear between 7 and 1 litters. The ecology and sociology of the Norway rat. Calhoun (1963) notedthat--over a period of 27 months--a colony of 1 individuals weighing 3.5kilos increased to 171 individuals weighing 6 kilos (1:244). J. Simpson, G. 7. The rats use whatever bedding is available (e.g.,cotton, tissue paper, wood shavings, or shredded newspaper) to buildshallow nests. Literature Cited 1. Once a food site is chosen, rats generally display thecharacteristics of rate-maximizing feeders (3:17 7). As long as it remains uncrowded,several males and females may be kept together in one cage. E. H. Johnson, D. The Norway rat is an omnivorous animal. This "hoarding" involves the transport of variousobjects to a safe place (e.g., the nest) (9:211). Principles of Animal Taxonomy. Donaldson, named the species (6:1-6). Despite past efforts to control its population, Rattus norvegicus hashad a long history of coexistence with humans. Laland, K. N.; Plotkin, H. Moreover, because of the "highlysophisticated nature of the research in which these animals are used, theymust be maximally defined physiologically, genetically, andmicrobiologically (2:6)." At present, there are various types of researchanimals available. Robinson, R. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; 1963. An individual Norway rat can live over 3 years. Moreover, Norway rats also exhibit species-typical objectretrieval behaviors. The zoological nomenclature for the Norway rat was devised in 1924.The scientist, H. Rats are a communal organism. Robinson, R. 85:142-143; 1994, March-April. By 1775, the rodent had reached the East coast ofNorth America. Journal of Heredity. 6. Food consumption varies with such factors as ambienttemperature, humidity, health status, breeding stage, diet, and even thetime of day. These white Norway rats werethen saved and bred for future exhibition (6:1-6). According to data collected during a 1978 survey, commercialproducer production information, and a 1986 United States CongressionalOffice of Technology Assessment report, roughly 4.5 million rats wereneeded for research in 1988 alone (2:6). Moreover, the teeth erupt continuously.Furthermore, the rat's cheeks close into a long diastema separating theincisors from the oral cavity. Furthermore, the Linnean system of taxonomicclassification also places the species in the Suborder Rodentia and theFamily Muridae (8:121, 135, 2 9). Like othermammals, R. It spread across Europe very rapidly. Wallace, R. Such anatomic features--in addition topowerful jaw muscles--only enhance the organism's gnawing capabilities(2:47-54). An average litter contains 6 to 14 offspring. Their productivebreeding life is roughly 1 year: Harkness & Wagner (1989) states thatsexual senescence occurs at 45 -55 days. New York, NY: Pergamon Press; 1965. Norway rats are usually nocturnal. 122:211-223; 1995, April.----------------------- 1 Calhoun, J. It has a very high rate of reproduction. F.; Triblehorn, J.; Collier, G. The species' gestation period isbetween 21 and 23 days. The history of the Norway rat can be traced back to the eighteenthcentury. Mink and pearl: New color mutants in the Norway rat. More specifically, the species may have evolved inthe "wild country between the Caspian Sea and Tobolsk (6:1-6)." During the eighteenth century, R. It wasn't until late in the eighteenth century though that peoplebegan domesticating the Norway rat. Lucas, F.; Sclafani, A. For example, theymight choose to consume more food at a single site, and defer traveling toanother one. New York, NY: Columbia University Press; 1962. Journal of General Psychology. 5. Philadelphia, PA; Lea & Febiger; 1989. However, a typical adult rat generally consumes about 5 gramsof feed and 1 milliliters of water per 1 grams of body weight daily(2:47-54). Genetics of the Norway rat. Captive rats should be housed in either metal or plastic cages.Metal cages typically have a mesh floor. It involved combining 1 to 2 recently trapped wild rats and a trained terrier in a pit. Thecontinent's major capital cities reported the rat's presence in "quicksuccession (6:1-6)." In England, early chroniclers date its arrival atbetween 1728 and 173 . It is highly likely,therefore, that R. During the course of their lives, R. In addition, they are cautiousfeeders. These animals are typicallyraised in pathogen-free environments. Animal Behaviour. The incisors,however, act as chisels. The openings in the mesh shouldbe about 1.6 square centimeters, or 2 wires per inch. Carbohydrate-conditioned odor preferences in rats. A new food or a food that is in a strange location may elicit anavoidance response (1:86). norvegicus migrated east alongtrade and military routes. Third edition.
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