The earliest documented evidence of domesticated rats originates from Japan and dates back to the Edo period (1603 to 1868). The tradition of keeping fancy rats may have originated in Japan, but pet ...

Pet rats are intelligent, social, and affectionate companions that make wonderful additions to many households. Despite common misconceptions, these small rodents are clean and trainable and bond ...

Chris Tachibana writes: Could a giant, spit-sniffing rat save your life? Maybe — they can be better than humans at diagnosing tuberculosis. A pilot program in Tanzania is using trained rats to smell ...

When Abby Chronister started college six years ago, she found herself struggling with anxiety and depression. After class, she often retreated to her bed. That’s when she adopted her first two rats, ...

A plump and plucky rat was spotted scurrying around the window sill of a downtown Manhattan theater — right next to a successful health inspection sign with the top grade of “A.” The large rodent ...