Care Guide Reference

Black Ship Rats
Rattus rattus
India,Indo-Malayan Countries

If you like your rat species, then the Black ship Rat is a species you should run in your collection, but it has to be said that it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Unlike the species above, this rat can deliver a very nasty bite. Is exceptionally fast, can jump exceedingly high, and is very quick to distract the attention of the guards and promptly escape. But this is only my opinion.

I have heard others describe them as highly intelligent and l can not dispute this as a fact, but l personally think that most rats are just ‘plain misunderstood’ by the majority of non rat keepers, and have found them to be rated very high in the intelligence brackets.

Loyal as a species is yet another description, l do not know if l would stretch it as far as that, they are species who will bond very quickly and do appreciate human interaction but then most species of rat share that emotion anyway.

They are more of a day sleeper than the majority of rat keepers may be used to, with Nile Rats, these are neither day time or night time sleepers, they are active when they choose to be and sleep when they are not active. With Black Ships these are more of a night time player. God help the keeper who disturbs them during the day when they are in a heavy slumber, l know this to my disadvantage and it something l will never do again!!

Housing them is simple if you want a simple life, there are those that house theirs in cages, but l suspect that these are hand tamed animals. I keep mine in large 48” tanks and yes do provide a wheel, but l do try to keep them in high tanks, due to their speed.

I also ensure that they have plenty of hideaways, and a deep bed of shavings.

Plenty of nesting material is also a benefit to both the keeper and the occupant. I also advise against colonies as this can lead to disaster. Pairs or trios is a much better system and less for you to recapture.

Feeding is like the Niles pretty straight forwards and basic, the same diet is appreciated, although l find that they appreciate more fruit in comparison to the Niles love of vegetables. Black Ships, will lovingly chew through banana, apples, pears, pomegranates, oranges, cherries - the list is endless - the best idea is to experiment with yours and see what ‘they’ appreciate.. Mine are not overly keen on culture feeds but having said that do find locusts quite an adventure!!

I have found that they are more prone to make their bedding wetter than the Niles, but l have placed this down to the fact that they enjoy more moister fruits.

The younger the better l think is the best advice l can provide when purchasing is considered.

Four to six weeks is an ideal age.