Heidi's Rat Corner

This is Rotte's own web page. She is the latest addition to my animal farm, and a female Rattus norvegicus. Her name "Rotte" was given to her by Bjørn (Rotte means rat in Norwegian). I've had many rats earlier, and finally I managed to convince Bjørn that a rat was acceptable as a pet.

Rotte moved into our flat at the beginning of August 2000, when she was about 7 weeks old. I bought a large rabbit cage for her which she escaped the first night (and had a feast with all my potted plants), so we glued on some more wire and it works fine.

Favourite food:

Yoghurtdrops and Rondis! Preferably fed to her by Bjørn.

Corn, cucumber, dry bread and avocado.

Rotte's best friend is Rotte B (only B for short). He arrived in October 2000, and the introduction after a week of "quarantine" was no problem. I videotaped their first meeting! (1.66MB)

Sadly, Rotte passed away the 4th of March 2002. She became lethargic and stopped eating, puffing up her fur and looking very sick. We started her on Baytril, but she died within a few days. Autopsy showed an enlarged liver, and fluid-filled abdomen and lungs. More on her illness and death can be found in the Rat diary.

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