For These Rats, “Bark” Means “Don’t Bite!”

When cornered, most rats will hide or run away. But when an African crest rat is cornered, it arches its back, parting the long gray hair on its outer coat to display the black and white bands that stripe its flanks. This odd display seems to be warning predators to stay away, and it seems that it is more than just bark. Indeed dogs that bite these rodents often end up sick or even dead. But what is the crest rat’s deadly secret? Continue reading “For These Rats, “Bark” Means “Don’t Bite!””