Ratty
The first rat to enter the rat.org.nz collection.
Ratty, preserved specimen.
Overview
Ratty is a male ship rat (Rattus rattus) and the first rat to be taxidermied by rat.org.nz.
He was trap caught at Alan Wood Reserve in trap AWR0014, a T-Rex trap designated as Trap 14.
At approximately two months old and measuring 13 centimetres, Ratty was relatively small at the time of capture.
History
Ratty is one of the best-known individuals in the rat.org.nz collection.
Following his preservation, Ratty developed a life considerably more interesting than that of the average dead pest. He has attended parties, travelled outside the collection, and become particularly fond of sitting on record players.
Although permanently deceased, Ratty remains an active participant in the social life of rat.org.nz.
Preservation
Ratty was the first taxidermy specimen produced by rat.org.nz.
His preservation marked the beginning of the rat.org.nz specimen archive and established the practice of documenting individual rats rather than treating them solely as anonymous pest-control records.
Ratty's internal organs were preserved separately in a specimen jar and occasionally accompany him when he goes out.
Taxidermy Record
Photographic documentation of Ratty's preservation.
Notable Appearances
Archive Note
Ratty was not supposed to become famous.
He was caught as one of many rats. He was small, unremarkable and approximately two months old.
Something went wrong.
Instead of disappearing into the usual administrative machinery of pest control, Ratty became the first.
The first rat collected.
The first rat preserved.
The first rat to leave the trap and enter the archive.
His career remains ongoing.