Family's horror after their 200 PET RATS take over home and ruin everything
A FAMILY had to call in animal specialists after their home was overrun by more than 200 rats.
More than 200 rats were living in a family home
The household took in a handful of rodents as pets which they thought were the same sex - but were horrified when they started breeding.
The rats multiplied so rapidly the family from Oxfordshire were unable to cope and called in Wood Green Animal Charity to help.
A total of 219 rats were taken from the family home.
The rodents are now living in large “explorer cages” with hammocks, wheels and ropes to keep them entertained.
Marie Pavaday-Pillay, a small animal expert at Wood Green Animal Charity, said: "What people don't realise is that female rats can have 10 to 12 in each litter and they can have several litters a year, so it doesn't take long for the numbers to build up.
The family were forced to give up the rats after they continued to multiply
A total of 219 rats were taken from the family home
"There were more than 200 and now we have got about 140 left because we have been able to rehome a few."
Rats reach sexual maturity at five weeks old and pregnancy lasts only 21 days - meaning they can populate quickly.
Woodgreen is looking for new homes for the rats
The family thought the rodents were the same sex
Wood Green is now looking for new homes for the army of rats.
The charity wrote on its website: "We have a higher than normal number of rats currently living at the Godmanchester centre.
Rats could be used to replace sniffer dogs
"We have males and females of varying ages, all very friendly and lots of different colours."
The animal shelter has already managed to find homes for about a third of the rodents, some of which have got to specialist rat charities.
Ms Pavaday-Pillay said: "There were more than 200 and now we have got about 140 left because we have been able to rehome a few.”