File :-(, x, )
Rats and temp Anonymous
A question for the rat people:

I'm thinking about buying a pair of rats now that I live by myself, however, I'm living in a place with a huge range in temperature. Right now it's below zero (celcius) each night, warming up to about twenty during the day. In summer it wll be getting into the low forties each day. I won't be able to use the air con constantly so for much of the time they'll just have to live with what mother nature throws at them. Would they be able to tolerate this sort of temperature or is it a bad idea? There aren't any rat lovers to ask in the area; it's a farming community which is gradually turning into a mining one. Ras are strictly vermin or snake food around here.
>> Anonymous
>Unlike rabbits and guinea pigs, domesticated rats are not hardy in cold weather. They must live indoors, preferably in your home, although an enclosed outbuilding could also suffice. The temperature should not fall below around 45 Degrees F/7Degrees C, and ideally should not rise beyond around 75 Degrees F/ 24 Degrees C.

from http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

You'll have to run the heater a little and give them a nest box with bedding imo.