"Isn't it cute!�" Is the common phrase most heard when one first takes a look at a Dumbo Fancy Rat. The Dumbo Rat's adorable appearance matched with a sweet and gentle disposition make him the ideal pet for any wishing a sweet loving rodent companion.

Rats have long had the incorrect reputation as being fierce aggressive creatures. One meeting with a Dumbo Fancy Rat will disprove all of these false rumors. The Dumbo Fancy Rat also called the Dumbo Rat, Dumbo or the Dumbo Eared Rat is friendly and smart. In addition he is one of the most docile of all rats. Some have claimed that they are so mellow they might as well be in a coma. This is simply not true. They are very calm and sedate but they still possess a lot of personality. Some are even described as comical in nature. Activity level will, however, vary greatly between different Dumbo Rats. It is true that some prefer a very lazy lifestyle, while others can only be characterized as hyper. In all cases with good socialization even fearful Dumbo Rats will make great pets. The majority of Dumbo Rats is cuddly, sweet, and calm and requires little socialization. Some owners claim their Dumbos give kisses and play games like peek-a-boo. It is said they love to travel and do quite well in new places.

The hallmark of the Dumbo Fancy Rat is its large low-set ears, which rest on the sides of its face. Combined with its large expressive eyes the Dumbo is perhaps the cutest of all rats. Some have even compared them to popular television rodents because they are so adorable. In rat shows the Dumbo Fancy Rat is shown primarily according to their variety, color and markings. It should be noted that a lot of variation in ear size and shape is seen. They are accepted in any of the colors currently accepted by the RMCA. Their eye colors will vary with coat color. Their heads are large and round.

The Dumbo Fancy Rat is of the same genus and species as other normal domestic rats (Rattus norvegicus). What makes it unique is the presence of a mutation, which causes his broadened ears to sit low on his head. The gentle disposition of the Dumbo Fancy Rat is a product of careful selective breeding for sweet dispositions. The gene that causes the Dumbo Rat�s unique features, is a recessive gene which first appeared in the northwestern United States.

Fancy Rats, like the wild rat, are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything. Like any other pet, a proper diet should be maintained in order to avoid possible health problems. High quality formulated rat foods are viewed as complete rat nutrition. Tiny portions of vegetables, fruit, or mealworms can also be healthy enough to be given as occasional treats. Cedar and pine shavings should be avoided as bedding since both can cause liver and kidney damage if ingested by the Fancy Rat. Cedar shavings can also cause respiratory problems in the Fancy Rat, as can the ammonia in their own urine, so a clean cage helps make a healthy Rat always. One disorder which seems to plague the occasional domesticated rat is called "Wry Neck", which causes the rat to walk in circles and tilt its head at odd angles. Antibiotics are indicated for treatment, but it is said that some tilt of the head may continue to be present in some rats, which can cause trouble in eating or cleaning themselves. Should this occur, consult your veterinarian for more treatment options. All rats have long incisors that grow constantly. To prevent overgrowth, keep a small chew stick or chew treat in your rat's cage for it to gnaw on and wear the teeth down.

Should you decide to breed the Fancy Rat, then it is good to keep in mind that male and female Rats reach sexual maturity as early as five to six weeks of age, though it is generally best to wait until 16 weeks or later for the safest breeding of a female. Rats should be kept in single-sex groups.

Females come into season every 4-5 days and exhibit signs by raising the rump when stroked, and/or vibration of the ears. When your female is in heat, remove the male you wish to use from his cage, and put him with the female in another, separate cage. Watch carefully for signs of fighting. If mating is observed you may leave them together for 1-2 hours, then return each to their usual cages. Do not leave males and females together permanently.

Gestation is 22 days, and by this time a pregnant female is very visibly pregnant. She may begin nest building and show mild aggression to her cage-mates, but it is safe to leave her with her usual companions if you wish. Alternatively, place her in a cage of her own with a nest box and plenty of shredded paper towel to use as nesting material.

The birth is not usually witnessed by human eyes but you will know when she has given birth by shrill piping and cheeping noises coming from her nest. You may tempt her away from the nest with a treat and then take out the next box away from the cage to examine the babies. Average litter size is 6-12 babies but it is not unusual for as many as 18 to be born. Remove any dead babies, count them all, and replace the nest box.

Feed the mother on a high protein diet during lactation, and you may supplement her with infant soy formula daily, which she will appreciate. The babies open their eyes at 14 days and soon begin to explore their surroundings. Although they will begin to eat solid food while still in the nest, do not take them from their mother until 4-5 weeks of age. Continue to supplement with soy formula until this time as the babies will also benefit and will help to take some of the strain from the mother whose condition may decrease dramatically by the time her milk supply ceases at 4 weeks.

Handle the babies every day to accustom them to humans and stimulate their natural curiosity. This way they will become gentle, confident and affectionate rats that will delight their owners and grow into well mannered, socialized pets.

Separate the males at 5 weeks and remove them to their own cage. The females can remain with their mother until they go to new homes. DO NOT leave them together any longer than this as the females may become pregnant as early as 5 weeks of age.

At 6 weeks of age the babies will have developed their social skills from remaining in with their littermates in sex-separated groups and are now ready to go to their new homes.