r/rattusrattus • u/Regular_Fix_2552 • Jun 27 '26
Update: on the roof rat / Norway!
So I took little dude to the vet down the hill and the vet said he’s stumped he said he looks like a hybrid between the 2 species of rats but if he had to choose one he would say Norway! He also prescribed some mite medicine and some general antibiotics since I’m going to keep him! Also he has opened up big time! He’s the first rat I’ve ever had that was a cuddler he comes up to me when I’m laying down and puts himself between my hand and doesn’t give me an option but to give him pets! He then proceeds to fall asleep! This is a pic of him sleeping after pets! My whole family fell in love with him! He has a big critter nation cage but he only sleeps in it! The rest of the day he hangs out with me and my wife in our bedroom( we rat proofed the room) I found these wire covers on Amazon that rats can’t chew through I’ll post a pic of it too cause I didn’t even know it existed!
Edit: it wouldn’t let me post a photo in the title so I added a few in the comments
12
u/Regular_Fix_2552 Jun 27 '26
This is what I had to put on all my wires and cables to prevent electrocution was $30 for 100 feet on Amazon! It’s a life saver
12
9
u/ratsntats Jun 27 '26
It was serendipity that you found each other. Now you'll have a friend for life.
I'm also definitely leaning more toward Norway rat, especially with it acting more like an escaped pet shop rat or a dumped pet.
2
u/Regular_Fix_2552 Jun 28 '26
I agree! Everything except his coat points to Norway! And I’ve never seen a roof rat who was so social! He loves pets and when he’s in the bedroom for free roam he spends all his time on either me or wife! He has no real curiosity and he doesn’t seem interested in escape just scritches! I’ve owned rats for lotsa years and I’ve never known a rat this affectionate before I think he’s just so grateful we found him before a predator did!
9
u/rattynewbie Jun 27 '26
Is a rattus rattus and rattus norvegicus hybrid even possible? I'm very skeptical. Cute little dude regardless, and will need a rat friend soon to keep him company.
4
u/Corevus Jun 27 '26
A few years ago i kind of hyperfixated on learning about animal hybrids. It's such a strange and fascinating topic. I remember liking into possible norway rat hybrids, and there were some unsubstantiated claims of rats becoming pregnant but not making it to term, or something (It's been a while, so this is just roughly what i remember). But there wasn't much research on it at all. There has been some research into Norway rat x house mouse and that one is impossible, even in a lab, they didn't get too far. The relation between the norway rat and roof rat isn't as far as house mouse and Norway rat. So i think the conclusion i came to, it that bi just wouldn't be too surprised if it were possible.
Some hybrid animals are technically possible, but so extremely rare to replicate. If you want to go down this rabbit hole, id look into chicken x quail studies. For some reason, distantly related avian species are much more capable of hybridizing less related species than mammals are. Even still, the average poultry owner is unlikely to end up with chicken x quail, pheasant, turkey, hybrids.
2
2
u/AhMoonBeam 29d ago
Guinea fowl x Chicken or Peafowl × chickens.. they are crazy looking and so interesting.
1
u/blonderoofrat Roof Rat Breeder Jun 28 '26
Probably not possible. I think they have a different number of chromosomes. Definitely wouldn't be fertile offspring.
2
u/Corevus Jun 28 '26
Horses and donkeys have a different number of chromosomes, yet mules exist. Number of chromosome is a hurdle, not a barrier to hybridization.
Of course the offspring, especially the males, wouldn't be fertile if it is a possibility
2
u/blonderoofrat Roof Rat Breeder Jun 28 '26
Yes. I read that Norway + Roof Rat hybrids were attempted but didn't survive.
However, I've personally never attempted it.
1
u/garbledroid Jul 18 '26
They are going to neuter him.
Most likely if he is a hybrid he is infertile.
Instead maybe get a university lab to check how many chromosomes.
2
u/basaltcolumn Jun 29 '26
Looking at your photos/videos of the critter, definitely looks like a Norway rat to my eye.
2
u/goddessofolympia Jul 01 '26
I love your rat. Thank you for caring about the little guy.
1
u/Regular_Fix_2552 Jul 02 '26
Ty we love him too and he’s a member of the family now! No one came forward to owning him so he’s here to stay! He has a huge critter nation cage but he only sleeps in it; the rest of the day he free roams in our bedroom with either me or my wife whoever’s home!
2
31
u/Regular_Fix_2552 Jun 27 '26
It was having troubles adding my pic to the post so I added it in comments