Editing Fancy rat (section)

== Differences from wild rats ==
{{See also|Brown rat#Biology and behavior|l1=Brown rat|Laboratory rat}}

While domesticated rats are not removed enough from their wild counterparts to justify a distinct species (like the [[dog]] versus [[grey wolf]]), there are significant differences that set them apart; the most apparent is coloring. Random color [[mutation]]s may occur in the wild, but these are rare. Most wild ''R. norvegicus'' are a dark brown color, while fancy rats may be anything from [[#Varieties|white to cinnamon to blue]].<ref>Refer to specific information in the [[#Varieties|Varieties]] section</ref>

Behaviorally, domesticated pet rats are [[Taming|tamer]] than those in the wild.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knight|first=John|title=Animals in Person: Cultural Perspectives on Human-animal Intimacy|publisher=Berg Publishers|year=2005|pages=131|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UTycF9esNdIC&pg=PA131|isbn=978-1-85973-733-0|access-date=10 January 2009}}</ref> They are more comfortable around humans and known to seek out their owners while roaming freely. They have decreased reactions to light and sound, are less cautious of new food, and have better tolerance to overcrowding. Domesticated rats are shown to mate earlier, more readily, and for a longer period of time over their lifespan.<ref name="barnett">{{cite book|last=Barnett|first=S. Anthony|title=The Story of Rats: Their Impact on Us, and Our Impact on Them|publisher=Allen & Unwin|location=Australia|date=April 1, 2002|pages=[https://archive.org/details/storyofratstheir00barn/page/21 21–23]|chapter=Naming and Taming|isbn=978-1-86508-519-7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WSHVlTr-PpsC|url=https://archive.org/details/storyofratstheir00barn/page/21}}</ref> Also, domesticated rats exhibit different behaviors when fighting with each other: while wild rats almost always flee a lost battle, caged rats spend protracted amounts of time in a belly-up or boxing position.<ref name="fighting">{{cite journal|title=Aggressive behavior in the rat|doi=10.1016/S0091-6773(77)90308-X|year=1977|author=Blanchard, R|journal=Behavioral Biology|volume=21|issue=2|pages=197–224|pmid=562152|last2=Carolineblanchard|first2=D}}</ref> These behavioral traits are thought to be [[Nature versus nurture|products of environment as opposed to genetics]]. However, it is also theorized that there are certain underlying biological reasons for why some members of a wild species are more receptive to domestication than others, and that these differences are then passed down to offspring (compare [[domesticated silver fox]]).<ref name="barnett" /><ref name="price">{{cite book|last=Price|first=Edward O.|title=Animal Domestication and Behavior|publisher=CABI Publishing|year=2003|isbn=978-0-85199-597-7}}</ref>

The body structure of domesticated rats differs from that of a wild rat as well. The body of a fancy rat is smaller, with larger ears and a longer tail. Domesticated rats have generally smaller and sharper facial features as well.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Domesticated rats have a longer lifespan than that of wild rats. Because domesticated rats are protected from predators and have ready access to food, water, shelter, and medical care, their average lifespan is around two to three years, in contrast to wild ''R. norvegicus'', which average a lifespan of less than one year.<ref name="langton-lifespan">{{cite book|page=168|chapter=Second Only to Us|chapter-url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0312363842|title=Rat: How the World's Most Notorious Rodent Clawed Its Way to the Top |date=26 June 2007|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-312-36384-0|access-date=13 November 2008|first=Jerry|last=Langton}}</ref> However, wild rats generally have larger brains, hearts, livers, kidneys, and adrenal glands than laboratory rats.<ref name="barnett" /> The fancy rat and wild rat also each face a multitude of differing [[#Health|health concerns]]; the former is at risk of developing a [[pneumococcal infection]] from exposure to humans, while the latter may harbor [[tapeworm]]s after coming in contact with [[Vector (epidemiology)|carriers]] such as [[cockroach]]es and [[flea]]s.<ref>Refer to specific information in the [[#Health|Health]] section.</ref>