The dumbo rat got its name due to unusual disproportionate ears. They are an integral characteristic of the breed. There are currently two types of ears:
- Type "tulip". The upper part of the ear is slightly wrapped, like a petal. If you lightly press your finger on the auricle, then you can see that one ear is round.
- Another type is fully open ears (“saucers”).
The dumbo has a wider head than other breeds of rats, the back of the head protrudes slightly. The body is proportional, pear-shaped. His muzzle is sharp. This feature is a sign of breed purity. The rodent's tail can be short or long. Wool cover is different:
- Standard. Short silky coat that covers the entire body.
- Satin wool. This is another kind of cover. The coat is longer, only on the tail, muzzle and ears a little shorter.
- Rex - a rough structure of the coat, even longer hair and curly.
- Sphinxes or bald rats. This species was bred due to the action of mutated genes. The skin of such rats is wrinkled, pink, gray or another color.
- Manx (tailless rats). This variety is the result of a mutation. When buying such rats, you need to be extremely careful, as many unscrupulous sellers want to give out ordinary rodents, whose tail was docked in childhood, for exotic representatives.
Character and nicknames
Such rats are less active than other relatives. They quickly get used to the owner and become tame. This rodent can be quickly accustomed to the name, as well as to ensure that at the first call he returns to the cage.
When you choose a nickname for a rat, try to make it sonorous and simple, since it is not common for rodents to remember
long words. Best of all, if the name will contain consonants ("k", "t", "n", "s", "p", "w", "d"), so it’s easier for the pet to perceive it. For example, you can name a female Goldie, Bonya, Dean, Lala, Sonya or Olli, and a male - Ballu, Vinnie, Teddy, Pete, Shonya, Dak or Tosha.
After some time, the rat dumbo will learn to respond to the sound of your voice and will run to you. If you plan to let the pet run, then you must first accustom it to the hands, and then return it to the cage. When teaching a rodent, remember that this is not a dog, so be patient.
Important Features
The breed was bred in the laboratories of California in 1991, and such creatures were brought to Russia from England in the 2000s.
If you are interested in how many dumbo rats live, then know that the life span of such rodents is three years.
Representatives of the breed grow to 20 centimeters. Females weigh between 200 and 400 grams, and males weigh between 250 and 500 grams.
Dambo rats: care and maintenance
These active pets are superior in intelligence to hamsters and guinea pigs. Such rodents do not need special care. It should be noted that the rat dumbo marks its territory. Another feature: such animals gnaw at everything that gets under their teeth, so you just need to let your pet out for a walk around the apartment under supervision.
The following plants are dangerous for such animals: agave, daffodils, colanchoe, azalea, feces, nightshade, olenander, horse chestnut, dieffenbachia, lupine, lily of the valley, mistletoe, poinsettia, amarallis, crocus, cloves, geranium, euphorbia, ferns, myrtle, tomato ( leaves), hydrangea, ivy, rhododendron, begonia, sunflower, tulips, hyacinths, cyclamen, aloe.
Cell
A cage with a rodent (or rodents) should be located away from drafts and the sun. It is desirable that the temperature in the room in which the rat dumbo lives is about 20 degrees. The cage should be metal and spacious. Wooden and plastic dwellings are not suitable, as the rat is happy to gnaw at an obstacle.
It is desirable that in the cage the pet had equipment for rest and sleep. For example, it can be a house. It can be purchased at any pet store or made independently. To rodents was not bored, you can get several rats of the same sex. If you are planning offspring, then buy both females and males.
Litter
As a litter, you can use shavings or thick paper. Small filings are not the best option, as they can accidentally get into the eyes of a rodent or the respiratory tract. You need to clean the cell as it becomes dirty or when an unpleasant odor appears - about 2 times a week. With disinfectants, you need to process it once a month.
Feeding
The rodent should have fresh water in the drinker. You need to change it every day. The diet of rats must be balanced. You can give them millet, oats and, of course, barley. Add the heart, kidneys and liver to the diet. If you give nuts to rodents, then you will not only feed the pets, but also allow them to grind their teeth.
You can encourage a rat with a piece of some fruit, such as a banana, pear, apple, peach or plum. Dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dates, etc.) can occasionally be given. Adult representatives are fed twice, and four babies.
Prohibited Products
Dambo rats should not be given the following products:
- chocolate;
- raw potatoes;
- bean curd;
- legumes;
- raw beans;
- blue cheese;
- artichokes;
- liquorice
- rhubarb;
- sausage;
- green bananas;
- spinach.
Rats are carefully fed with the following foods:
- beetroot;
- almonds;
- turnips;
- pumpkin and sunflower seeds (no more than 15 pieces, since they contain fats, which can lead to the development of diseases);
- radish;
- cucumber
- cheese (no more than twice a week);
- sour cream (this is a fatty product, so you can give the rat no more often than once a week);
- eggs (this is a delicacy for rats, which can be treated no more than once a week).
Pros and cons of the view
Funny appearance is a definite plus of the breed.
Decorative rats of a dumbo are unpretentious in feeding and keeping.
The disadvantages include the fact that a characteristic smell emanates from the home of rodents. With timely cleaning, you can avoid its appearance.
Little conclusion
Now you know what a rat dumbo is. Photos that are in the article will help you to study the rodent in detail. If you want to become the owner of such a pet, then know that you will not have any special difficulties in maintaining and feeding.