Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats

A construction worker in Pennsylvania disturbed a wild rat nest and mom ran away. Well, she probably would have come back but he was kind hearted and bought the 6 babies to AARK Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

When they were old enough, I took the 4 girls and Laurie Ratcliffe took the 2 boys. I named the girls Baby, Girl, Honey, and Sweetheart.

At the time, we all believed they were wild Norvegicus, but as they grew up, it became apparent that they were wild Rattus!

My girls were installed in my bathroom where they pretty much lived out their lives free range. They were hysterical. Unlike Norvegicus, Rattus goes UP!

When you walked into the room, you would find them sitting on the shower curtain rod, on top of the medicine cabinet, hanging off the towel hook behind the door.

They grew to love me very very much and always poured out of the nest and ran over to me whenever I came to visit. They want to be all over you and will act like little chicks. If I squatted down, they always wanted to sit UNDER me. Still, they retained some wild behavior: Rattus is more truly nocturnal than Norvegicus -- almost comatose during the day. So they have a (wise) biting reflex if you wake them in the nest. But Rattus also has a very weak bite so the bites aren't usually serious at all. In fact, it became a game with me every morning: could I get my hand in and out to freshen the food dish without getting nailed? And they are even more enthusiastic chewers than Norways: the bottom of my bathroom door is still a mess. They retained their skittishness when outside of their environment. The few times they got out of the bathroom, it was hard to get them back. They were very freaked out.

Rattus is absolutely adorable, they look like big mice. They have huge doe-like eyes. And the wild agouti coloring is really wonderful.

You'll read that keeping Rattus is a challenge. I didn't find it that much of a challenge. The experience pays you back for the damage to the door. It's like having your own zoo exhibit!

Where can you find wild Rattus? Contact a local wildlife rehabber and tell them you are willing to take Rattus in. Also, look carefully in pet stores. Sometimes wild Rattus actually gets in with the domesticated pet Norways!

If you ever get the chance to take wild Rattus in, do so!