Rats!

Cautionary Tails

What puts most people off rats is their tails, but these tails are crucial to the rats survival and must be treated with utter respect.

NEVER, EVER lift a rat by the tail - not only is it cruel and painful but positively dangerous.

Rats cannot sweat, instead their blood is cooled by the practically hairless tail as it courses through it. If the tail is broken this can have serious effects on that blood movement, so when handling take extreme care not to damage their tails.

And similarly, be careful where you site their cage. Preferably in a cool place. Don't put them somewhere where they will bake, it will make life very uncomfortable for them.