It is said that Vasco da Gama, who did reach India by sea first, did bring rats as "blind passengers" to Europe in 1498 already. Indeed they were brought over already earlier in the early 13th century by sailors.
Originally rats are native to the velds of Sibiria, Noth China and Mongolia. In the meantime they can be found worldwide.

The reputation of rats is quite different all over the world. In China the animal belongs to the signs of zodiacs. Rats get many positive characteristics like loyalty, romantic, tenderness, passion, intelligence, courtesy, ambition, charme, sociableness, diplomacy, humour and originality. In India rats are seen as holy animals. In 2011 two scientists in New Zealand dicovered that rats pollenize some plants and hence are important for a well growing ecological system.

Over here rats are not welcome guests. But they gain a growing popularity as pets due to their clean, intelligent, cusrious and trusting nature. Their colour scheme can be brown, white or brown/white like our rat "Rasputin".

The last photo shows "Rasputin" coming out of the channel.

Size: 22 cm (~ 8.8")
Colour: Brown/white
Filling: Special polyester fibes
Manufacturer: Kösener Spielzeug Manufaktur GmbH, Rudelsburgpromenade 20 c, D-06628 Bad Kösen, email: info@koesener.de

Awarded with grade "spiel gut" (means "play well").

The proceed of this sales will be donated to a children's charity organisation.