FY 
Mammals The White Rat 
Europe to America. Soon after the Norway rat had 
conquered Europe it came to America in ships, and 
here has carried on the war of extermination against 
the Black species, which is now found only in remote 
corners of our country. There is a variety of the 
Black species which has escaped this general extinc- 
tion. It is found in Egypt and adjoining countries, 
and has been introduced into our Southern States, it 
is called the “Roof rat’’. 
White rats and mice have been known for a long 
time; they are the albinos of our common forms, but 
have been bred for so long as fancy pets, that the 
breed is distinct. They are far more delicate than 
their common relations, but are more easily kept. 
HOUSE 
The general management for a white rat is the 
same as for mice, only the rat needs a larger cage. 
A pair of rats should have a cage at least two feet long 
‘by one foot wide and high. The front of the box 
should be covered with one-half inch wire netting; 
the cage should be bedded with sawdust or dry 
leaves, which should be frequently renewed. Every 
week or two the rats should be removed into a fresh 
house, and the one they have been in should be 
washed with soap and hot water and thoroughly 
dried before they are again put into it. In a corner 
of the cage there should be a sleeping compartment 
made of an inverted box, with a hole at one side, large 
enough to admit the body of the rat. This box 
should be filled with strips of paper or excelsior. 
FOOD 
The white rat may be fed grain of all kinds, and 
insects; it is especially fond of meal worms, hard- 
I0o 
