A video has gone viral showing a rat eating its way out of a snake. While it appears to be staged, the feat actually works.
When a snake swallows its prey animal, it lubricates the food with saliva to make it easier for it to enter its stomach. After passing through, the rat passes into its intestine where it is completely digested.
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Rats are a good source of protein
Rats in the wild feed on an extensive variety of vegetation, seeds, grains and sometimes invertebrates and animal proteins. Fortunately, they make excellent pets and can easily be kept in captivity.
Protein is an essential dietary element for rats, but don’t overlook fiber! Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, lowers cholesterol, and may improve colon health and stool quality.
Rats can increase their protein intake through meat, dairy products and foods with high levels of protein (e.g., eggs, fish, chicks and meat). Whey protein supplements do not provide much nutrition and should only be used as an addition to your rat’s normal diet; other sources should also be given consideration.
Analysis of d15N and d13C values in archaeological rat bones from nineteenth-century Upper Canada indicates that rats living in urban settlements had regular access to higher quality (animal) protein sources, unlike their rural counterparts with more diverse diets.
They are a good source of calcium
Calcium-fortified dairy products are not the only sources of this important mineral. A half cup of dry roasted soybeans provides 230 mg, while one cup each of cooked kale and collard greens offers 175 mg each.
Turnip greens are an excellent source of calcium, with just one cup providing 200 mg. Try adding them to stir-fries or other vegetable dishes for extra nutrition.
Zeratsky recommends that fortified orange juice and fortified cereals are an excellent source of calcium. You can even add powdered milk to other foods like smoothies, yeast breads, and mashed potatoes to increase their calcium content even more.
Other studies have observed mice on a low-calcium diet who were given the choice between 100 g/L sucrose solution or water as their second drink, which increased when calcium supplementation was provided (McCay and Eaton 1947). Recently, rats on such a low-Ca2+ diet also demonstrated decreased sucrose intakes and preferred the lower Ca2+ alternative in 48 h two-bottle tests with various concentrations of sweet solutions [Ca-25: Ca-150; coldwell and Tordoff 1996a; Tordoff 1992b]. This could likely be due to decreased concentrations of representative sour and bitter compounds rather than generalized reductions in sugar intake overall
They are a good source of fat
Rats are omnivores and, like us, require food of animal origin for optimal health. Therefore, providing them with high-quality rat food concentrate or mix that contains all the essential nutrients is key to their wellbeing.
Rat food pellets or blocks should make up around 90% of an adult rat’s diet. The remaining 10% can be made up of fresh vegetables, fruits and occasional treats.
Commercial rat mixes should be consumed within their sell-by date and contain high-quality cereals, grains and vegetables that are naturally sourced without added sugars. It’s essential that the protein level in a rat mix be in the mid to high teens with some animal protein included.
Keep your rat’s weight stable and watch for signs of malnutrition such as obesity, weight loss, lethargy, dry skin, poor hair coat or other health issues. Take note of their weekly weigh-ins and contact your rat-savvy veterinarian if you notice a change in their weight over several weeks.
They are a good source of vitamins
A video of a rat eating its way out of a snake in China’s city has gone viral on YouTube and sparked debate.
Rodents are warm-blooded mammals that can survive in a range of climates and conditions. They consume food, damage structures and property, and spread parasites and diseases to other animals and humans alike.
Some rats are vegetarians, eating seeds and fruits instead of grain or meat. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, they also feed on insects, fish and mussels, small birds, and reptiles.
Rats are an excellent source of vitamins, such as Vitamin A and B12. Furthermore, they supply calcium, iron, and magnesium in small amounts.
Some nutrient-rich foods that are great sources of vitamins include green peas, butternut squash, tropical fruits and seeds; bell peppers for Vitamin C; avocados as a great source of Vitamins E and lycopene; green peas are an especially good source.
