Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are Kunashir island rats the same thing as Japanese rats?

And how are they to keep? I saw some at a show a few years ago and they reminded me of green bairds, very pretty! I'm thinking of finding a pair.

Thanks!

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

Are Kunashir island rats the same thing as Japanese rats?
And how are they to keep? I saw some at a show a few years ago and they reminded me of green bairds, very pretty! I'm thinking of finding a pair.
Thanks!
Sarah
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Sarah, to answer your question well yes and no.
Sorry, they are a strain of Japanese rat but as you've seen are much prettier. Those on the mainland of Japan are mostly brown while on the Russian owned island of Kunashir (used to be Japans) they have a mossy green body with a beautiful torquoise head.
I've had a pair for about three years that are florishing at temps in the 72-75 degree range with a heat tape under part of the tank.
I feel that most asian rats like these and madarins do better when not handled alot so I try to leave them be which seems to be working but when I do handle them, they are fine . Never seem too nervous or the least bit aggressive.(never nip or bite)
They are easy to keep for the most part.
I feed them frozen thawed mice and they feed without a problem.
Feeding time is about the only time they are aggressive but its only towards the meal. A good thing.
Take your time to find a pretty one and I think you'll be happy with it.
Mike.

Thanks so much.

I had a feeling they were somehow related, I keep on seeing photos of the Japanese rat and it looked so similar but not quite what I remembered seeing. You're right, the ones I saw were so green, just stunning!

They are definately on my want list for the near future!

Thanks

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

I'll see if I can learn to post pics on this site this weekend. Shouldn't be too hard right?
I'll snap a good pic or two of my pair. I think it'll motivate your search for your own.

You know i wasn't in the market for them or even knew much about them when I found them. I know I took a big chance buying them without researching them first. I just knew a little of them and only of the mainland brown variety. So it was an impulse buy, unusual for me. A fellow had two greensh brown but unremarkable babies at a show marked two hundred for the pair "japanese rats".
(no mention was made of them being Kunashir rats)
He just said that the heads would turn torquoise when they got older and that they just keep getting prettier. I took his word for it, settled on $180 for the pair and well he was right. They are beautiful now and getting more so as time goes on. Only after I bought them and did I research did I find that I had been lucky to get Kunashir / japanese rats, whats considered the prettier of the Japanese rats.I agree. Thats called dumb luck.

You may want to make your deal a little safer and ask to see what the parents look like before you buy some babies.
Mike.