I often have to come up with designs that have not been done before, or are very specific to a location. This was one that I have learned so much from! It was designed to be a crossover habitat for Norway rats (Rattus Norvegicus). The original concept came from a friend and myself brainstorming, and Tenji, Inc did the actual structural design. The aesthetic? Whatever is in your garage or attic!
These rats are on display in a public institution, and are not super-acclimated to people. These features help manage their care needs:
- 1/2" Acrylic enclosure for clear views and soundproofing, vented on the ceiling and floor, and a super-quiet fan below pulls air through a carbon pad to prevent the whole place smalling like rats! (They communicate with pee, after all)
- Flexible shelving to create infinite possibilities for enrichment
- Rope ladders bring rats to top crossover tubing, and the gate valves can isolate an area from the outside (if you're fast enough!)
- This original shelf design used puppy pee pads and a velcro/felt coverup. This proved difficult to maintain.
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| The "ratty" aesthetic |
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| Ventilation chamber |
A New Do!
Over a few years time, my colleague and I decided we wanted each shelf to be more adjustable and to hold softer, diggable bedding. She recorded the below videos of the redo. I think we designed something more clean-able, and much more cute-able!
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