How can I tell if a rat is wild or a pet, and what type is it?

Without a clearer image, it is difficult to determine breed. It may indeed be a wild rabbit just by looking at the coat, size, color and ears. There are about 40 other breeds though that exhibit those same characteristics, so a close physical exam would be needed to definitively determine breed.

Hello there! This little rat does not look very good at all. Unfortunately, there are many different diseases that outdoor rats can have - some that are zoonotic (this means transmissable to humans and other animals, so be sure to wash well after handling him) - and without a complete workup by a vet, it's not likely that he's going to survive the next couple of days. Even if you do bring him to the vet, there might not be much that can be done for him at this point. He is thin, he has a hunched body posture (an indicator of pain and severe stress), and his sunken, squinted eyes indicate dehydration. The respiratory symptoms you mentioned are very common in wild rat species, and are usually fatal. I highly suggest that you contact a veterinarian and consider humane euthanasia for this guy. You could also try to call a wildlife rehabber, but only if you can get in touch with one that will take the rat immediately. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like you've done everything you can at home. If you can't get him to the vet right away, keep him warm and quiet. His little container looks quite comfy, but he needs professional care. Thank you for taking him in, and good luck.

Hello, and thanks for your question. That's a raptor - a bird of prey. It is a carnivore (meat eater), and should absolutely NOT be kept as a pet. It's a wild animal, and many raptors are protected by law. I recommend touching base with your local university and/or veterinary hospital. They should be able to connect you with a local ornithologist (bird expert) or wildlife rehabilitator, who will best be able to care for this bird. Without knowing more about the bird and being able to examine it, I cannot guide you further. Male and female raptors often look very similar, so I can't tell you which it is from these photos. I suspect it's a juvenile (young bird) since it's not immediately flying away from you - so it may not yet be able to live on its own if you were to simply release it, depending on how long it's been captive. I encourage you to do the right thing for this beautiful wild animal, and make sure it finds its way into the hands of someone who is knowledgeable in the area of raptor care. I hope this helps! All the best to you!

Thanks for reaching out about Templeton and including photos. These lesions seem very similar to dermal lesions seen with mites, a type of ectoparasite. A veterinary visit is recommended, it mites both rats needs to be treated. This has a fairly good prognosis for recovery. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Regi and including pictures. By the pictures, she doesn't seem that unusual in size. But individuals can range in size just like people. If you have other rats, are they're any intact males? Widening in the abdomen could be the storage of fat, but also something medical. If you continue to be concerned, seek an examination with a veterinarian. Good luck.

Hello. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I agree with the pet store. Hairless rats will be full grown at 5 months of age and these guys appear younger. I would guess they are about 3 months of age. That is the best I can do by just looking at photos. If you want a more accurate age I would suggest you take them to an exotics vet for an in-person examination. They may be able to tell more from the teeth and actual weight. Hope this helps. Best wishes. They are adorable!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection. This cannot be completely assessed just by looking at pictures and usually requires sampling such as fine needle aspiration to determine its origin. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!