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Quiz about Pet Rats
Quiz about Pet Rats

Pet Rats Trivia Quiz


Here's your chance to test your knowledge of pet rats !

A multiple-choice quiz by jhorbaty. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
jhorbaty
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
74,951
Updated
Sep 05 22
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
8 / 15
Plays
3504
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 206 (2/15), Guest 86 (8/15), Guest 49 (11/15).
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Question 1 of 15
1. What is a group of rats called? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. Rats have some colour vision.


Question 3 of 15
3. When your rat is grinding his or her teeth (a behaviour called bruxing), how is your rat feeling? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Which of the following does a rat have? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. The reddish discharge sometimes seen on a rat's eyes or nose is called: Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Which of the following is an inherited genetic disease of pet rats? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. When were rats domesticated? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. Softwood chips, like pine and cedar, commonly available in pet stores are toxic to small animals because they contain: Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. The part(s) of the body that rats primarily use to regulate their body temperature is the: Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. As they grow, baby rats should be separated into groups of their own sex.


Question 11 of 15
11. What should you never feed your rats? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Holiday plants that are poisonous to rats include: Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. The most common respiratory ailment of pet rats is caused by a bacteria called: Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Rats cannot: Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. True or false? Rats are best kept as single individuals.

Answer: (One Word)

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Most Recent Scores
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 206: 2/15
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 86: 8/15
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 49: 11/15
Feb 23 2024 : Guest 86: 5/15
Feb 16 2024 : comark2000: 15/15
Feb 04 2024 : Guest 46: 11/15
Feb 01 2024 : Guest 86: 7/15

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What is a group of rats called?

Answer: a mischief

Other correct terms for a group of rats are: colony, horde and swarm. Personally, I think a mischief of rats describes our pet rats the best.
2. Rats have some colour vision.

Answer: True

There are two types of photoreceptors in the retina: rods and cones. The rods are responsible for detecting darkness and lightness, while the cones are responsible for detecting colour. The photoreceptors in a rat's retina are almost all rods (cones make up less than 1 percent.

More recent studies show that rats probably see muted colors more to the ultra-violet end of the spectrum. There is a great website here: http://www.ratbehavior.org/RatVision.htm If you scroll down to the bottom it summarizes the findings and actually shows images of what rats probably see.
3. When your rat is grinding his or her teeth (a behaviour called bruxing), how is your rat feeling?

Answer: it could be feeling any of these

Most of the time our pets are happy and will brux occasionally when content. Bruxing helps grind the teeth down so that they are a healthy length. Bruxing does not necessarily mean a rat is happy however, since they will also grind their teeth in frustration or when they are very ill.
4. Which of the following does a rat have?

Answer: five toes on hind feet

Rats don't have gall bladders, thumbs or tonsils.
5. The reddish discharge sometimes seen on a rat's eyes or nose is called:

Answer: porphyrin

Reddish discharge called porphyrin is sometimes seen around the eyes and nose of a rat when it is ill. It is often mistaken for blood. Porphyrin is a pigmented secretion produced by a gland behind the eye. The pressence of porphyrin may indicate that your rat is stressed, and you should watch your rat closely for any signs of illness. Toxic beddings like cedar and pine can cause the production of excess porphyrin.
6. Which of the following is an inherited genetic disease of pet rats?

Answer: megacolon

Megacolon is a disease most often seen in blazed, bi-colour rats. The nerves and muscles of the colon do not function properly, resulting in the massive enlargement of the colon. Rats afflicted with this disease usually die within the first few weeks of life. Mycoplasmosis is not "inherited," although rats may be born with it- things that are inherited are acquired from a parent's DNA.
7. When were rats domesticated?

Answer: about 200 years ago

Wild rats from London were domesticated around 200 years ago in the early 1800s by 'Rat Catchers' who started breeding them. The first colour variation produced was albino.
8. Softwood chips, like pine and cedar, commonly available in pet stores are toxic to small animals because they contain:

Answer: phenols

Phenols (also called aromatic hydrocarbons) give pine and cedar their pleasant scent. However, these phenols are absorbed by a rat's respiratory lining and enter the blood. The toxins damage the respiratory tract, and also cause liver enzyme elevation. Exposure to toxins is a stress on the body can despress the immune system. Safe beddings include paper-based bedding, and bedding made from hardwood like aspen and maple.
9. The part(s) of the body that rats primarily use to regulate their body temperature is the:

Answer: tail

Because a rat's tail is bare, it lacks insulation and loses heat. When a rat is hot, more blood flows to the tail to help it lose heat. When a rat is cold, less blood flows to the tail, conserving heat.
10. As they grow, baby rats should be separated into groups of their own sex.

Answer: True

The sexes must be separated by 5 weeks to ensure no unwanted pregnancies occur.
11. What should you never feed your rats?

Answer: raw sweet potato

To learn more about what foods must be fed with caution, visit the forbidden food section on the Pet Rats Canada website (www.petratscanada.com).
12. Holiday plants that are poisonous to rats include:

Answer: they can all be toxic

Make sure these plants are out of your rat's reach at Christmas time.
13. The most common respiratory ailment of pet rats is caused by a bacteria called:

Answer: Mycoplasma pulmonis

Lab rats kept in sterile environments are the only rats that are free of the mycoplasma bacteria.
14. Rats cannot:

Answer: vomit

Rats cannot vomit so there is no reason to make them fast before surgery.
15. True or false? Rats are best kept as single individuals.

Answer: False

Rats are very social animals and benefit greatly by having the company of other rats. Rats kept in groups of 2 or more are more confident and curious and therefore more eager to explore outside of their cage.
Source: Author jhorbaty

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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