Ezra Mushala

Rats are social animals who typically live in groups, so it might seem strange that they sometimes kill their own kind. But fatal fights between rats do happen, and they can be surprisingly brutal. These aren’t just minor squabbles that got out of hand. Sometimes rats deliberately kill other rats. Why do rats kill each … Read more

You might have noticed that when something startles a rat, they don’t just run away. They often jump first, sometimes straight up in the air, sometimes to the side, before they start running. This jumping reaction happens fast and looks almost automatic. Why do rats jump when they’re scared? Rats jump when scared because it’s … Read more

If you’ve spent any time watching rats, you’ve probably noticed they don’t just walk from place to place. They jump, hop, bounce, and leap around in ways that can seem random or hyperactive. Sometimes this jumping looks playful, sometimes it looks frantic, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out what’s going on. Why do rats … Read more

If you’ve ever watched rats interact, you’ve probably seen them suddenly leap at each other. Sometimes it looks playful, sometimes it looks aggressive, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s going on. This jumping behavior can be confusing for rat owners and observers. Why do rats jump at each other? Rats jump at each other … Read more

You’ve probably heard the old saying “rats jumping ship” used to describe people abandoning a bad situation. But where did this phrase actually come from? Is it based on real rat behavior, or just an old myth? Why do rats jump ship? Rats jump ship when they sense danger like sinking, flooding, or fires. They’re … Read more

Few things are more terrifying than having a rat suddenly jump at you. Whether you’re walking through an alley, cleaning out a basement, or just minding your own business, a rat launching itself toward your face can make anyone scream. So why do rats jump at people? Are they attacking, or is something else going … Read more

If you’ve worked in restaurants or food service, you might’ve heard horror stories about rats jumping into deep fryers. These stories sound crazy (and really gross), but they actually happen more often than you’d think. So why would a rat jump into hot oil? Is this some kind of bizarre suicide, or is something else … Read more

If you’ve ever walked through a city after a heavy rainstorm, you might’ve noticed something unsettling: rats everywhere. They scurry along sidewalks, climb out of sewers, and seem way more visible than usual. So why do rats come out in the rain? What makes them suddenly appear when the weather gets wet? Rats come out … Read more

If you’re thinking about getting a pet rat, one of the first things you’ll hear from experienced rat owners is this: don’t get just one. Rats need company, and that company needs to be another rat, not just you. But why do rats need to be in pairs or groups? Can’t they be happy as … Read more

If you’ve ever owned pet rats or dealt with a rat problem in your home, you might’ve noticed something interesting: rats tend to poop in the same spot over and over again. While they pee everywhere, their pooping habits are actually pretty organized. So why do rats poop in the same spot? Rats poop in … Read more