[Cowman]

I always thought that a hard working lab rat should bw able to relax in a tiny jacuzzi with an exotic beverage in a glass with a little bitty umbrella in it.

[cyborg]

LOL better hygiene than liberal protestors hehe!

[Gefreiter]

"The area features both aquatic and land-based animals including water voles, bank voles, harvest mice, frogs and toads, slow worms and brown rats."

Cheapest. Zoo. Ever.

[nuconvert]

Yes, but do they use saop?

[neodad]

Rats are naturally good swimmers and are also believed to be highly intelligent creatures

Obiously a biased study. But I have seen rats swim.

[Dallas59]

Open a fire hose...

[mmercier]

I like to watch the sparrows take dust baths.

My cats kill every mouse, rat and mole within a mile, so I never have had the opportunity to watch a rodent shower.

I just throw away the carcasses gizmo and gypsy daily leave at the door. Like the viking kitties, they do their jobs well and make sure you know it. One of my little beasts killed a star nosed mole this morning.

[AmericanChef]

That's just too darned cute.

If people Rats would shower more they might be in better moods more often.

[Fire_on_High]

I used to keep pet rats (last one died recently, waiting to find a good breeder before I get another) and keep up with sites and forums where rat owners meet. You'd be shocked how many times proud owners have pics posted of their ratties happily splashing around in the bathroom sink, or a basin of some sort.

As with any animal, some like it, some don't, some will take ir or leave it as the mood strikes, but there's a decent number of rats who outright enjoy swimming or playing in water. None of mine seemed to care too much for it tho....Bear was generally a dignified animal, and the hairless would have gotten chilled very easily.

I did bathe them with a washcloth and warm water when they got minor skin staining from dyes used in chew sticks or from messy treats, and just wrapped them up and cuddled them in a warm towel after to dry them and keep them from getting chilled. I won't say they all enjoyed being bathed, but if they couldn't get it clean themselves, they at least put up with me giving them a hand...they never bit or got nasty with me.

[Mercat]

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM.