Ratscallions

   

Animals have been an integral part of my life from a very young age. One of my parents worked for

the San Diego Zoo; the other for the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and I have fond memories of hand

raising exotic hoofed stock such as slender horned gazelles, Thompson’s gazelles and saiga

antelope in my back yard, right along side the family cats and dogs!

 

  

   Despite the impressive variety of exotic

animals at home, one of my favorites was my

little pet rat, Velma. Charmed and intrigued by

her inquisitive and sweet nature, I chose to do a

science project on rat behavior in the sixth

grade. Afterward, I begged my parents to let me

breed my rats. Though they said “No” to rats,

they did say “Yes” to hamsters, and for the next

9 years I bred fancy hamsters, emphasizing

health, temperament and type.

 

    My college years left me swamped with

studies, therefore without rats or hamsters. My

choice of major was, however, greatly

influenced by my love for animals.  I majored in

psychology, with a focus on comparative animal

behavior; I minored in biology with a particular

interest in animal genetics. Now a professional

animal educator, animals are once again my life.

 

  Spending the day with tegus and tarantulas,

snakes, scorpions, and students, one might

expect that I leave the classroom aching for

peace and quiet.  In fact, I can’t wait to get home

to once again find myself in the company of

many charming ratties.

 

   While it is difficult for me to pick any one color

or variety of rat as my favorite, the primary focus

of Ratscallions will be blue, Burmese, and fawn.

Because I believe it is a breeder’s responsibility

to breed the best possible animal, all litters will

be bred foremost for health and temperament,

then for type.