Customer Reviews:
 Good beginner's book, but don't rely on it only. February 7, 2000
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
I own one dozen books on rat care, some current, some vintage (ie, printed before 1980). I've read the books by Ducommon, Mays, Fox, Cardinal, Himsel, and Bulla. This book differs from them in that it is intended for the younger rat person, of about 8 or so. It scans the basics of rat care in simple, easy words, copiously illustrated, and with little sidebar snippets of info. It glances briefly at handling your new rat, what to feed him, what sort of home to provide, and how to recognize common health problems in rats, such as ring tail. I've only discovered one outright error in the text, which is a snippet, so it may not be Mr. Viner's words (though the editor should have caught it). On page 7, the norway rat and the roof rat (rattus rattus aka black rat) are confused. This is hardly earth shattering, and the pet care info seems accurate enough.I disagree with the blanket statement that the aquarium home is better than the cage home; both forms have drawbacks and advantages.I would give this book to a little boy or girl who just got his/her first rat(s). It will inform them of what they need to do and how to do it,and add to the selfconfidence they need in dealing with a new pet. Mom and dad should have a copy of the Ducommon book handy, when more detailed info is needed.
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