This article is about rats working outside the scope of model organism. For genetic, medical, and psychological testing, see
Laboratory rat.
A working rat is any rat which is trained for specific tasks as a
working animal. In many cases, working rats are domesticated
brown rats. However, other species, notably the
Gambian pouched rat, have also been trained to assist humans.
In the
Netherlands, police have begun using brown rats to sniff out gunshot residue. Ed Kraszewski, spokesman for the task force, has said that the rats are easier and cheaper to train than dogs.[1][2]
Entertainment
Rats have been trained to appear in
magic acts,
music videos,
movies, and
television shows.[4] Samantha Martin, a professional animal trainer, has claimed that rats are one of the easiest animals to train due to their adaptability, intelligence, and focus.[5]
Laying computer link cable
By being trained to carry a string through holes in walls, a rat can help economically wire a building for the
Internet; afterwards, people use the string to pull the computer link cable through.[6]
Domestic rats have been trained as
service animals, such as to identify damaging muscle spasms for people whose ability to sense this has been compromised by their disability;[8][9] domesticated rats can be more useful than
service dogs for purposes such as these due to their small size and lack of aggression.[10][11]
A
Belgian non-government organization,
APOPO, trains
Gambian pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) to sniff out
land mines and
tuberculosis. The trained pouched rats are called
HeroRATS. Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide commit to "adopt" rats and pay to support them.
References
^Dutch cops are using brown rats to solve crimes. The Associated Press. Thursday, September 5, 2013.
[1] (Retrieved on 2013-10-23)
^Ratten helpen politie met sporenonderzoek. Nederlandse Publieke Omroep. 5 september 2013. (Retrieved on 2013-10-23)
^Lach, Donald F.; Van Kley, Edwin J. (1994), Asia in the Making of Europe, Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
ISBN978-0-226-46734-4. Volume III, "A Century of Advance", Book Four, "East Asia". Plate 364. In the caption, Lach and van Kleyn identify the performing animals as mice and rats.