Rats are pretty clever, they can respond to their names and follow simple verbal instructions. Back when I was a student I used to keep a couple, and several l

Rats are pretty clever, they can respond to their names and follow simple verbal instructions. Back when I was a student I used to keep a couple, and several local friends also had one or two. They make good pets - larger and less fragile than mice, smarter and more interactive than gerbils, and not at all prone to biting you randomly.