Most people don’t like rats – we’re brought up to loathe and fear them. But if we can set those feelings aside for a moment, we can appreciate them as the beautiful and interesting little creatures they really are.
We think this TBW video demonstrates their lovable side.
Our cameras don’t actually see rats very often, and when they do it’s usually because the rat in question is in the process of being eaten by an owl or a fox. It’s not an easy life being a supper-time treat for hungry predators.
We believe that the rats in this clips are native Texas rats because they were on a branch out in the woodland. Texas natives apparently prefer the great outdoors to human attics and basements.
And we think, seeing their loving behavior, that this is probably a mama and one of her almost-fully-grown little ones. They seem very happy together. At one point the little one almost seems to be smiling. We understand that smiling is a human thing and that we are guilty of rampant anthropomorphism, but life is short and we do think that the smaller rat looks genuinely happy.
#texasbackyardwildlife