Boomtown Rats: Amazing musical rodents

Friday, September 17th, 2010

These incredible pictures show two pet rats which have been trained by their owner to hold tiny instruments in their paws.

Photographer Ellen van Deelen, 51, used food treats to teach Moppy and Witje to pose up with a variety of musical instruments.

The ”very intelligent” creatures eventually learned to hold everything from panpipes to flutes, tubas, trombones, banjos and even saxophones.

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Single Ellen, from Roosendaal, Holland, revealed her pair of rodents are ”really talented actors.”

She said: ”I never used to like rats, in fact, I really hated them. But when I bought these two I realised they were very intelligent and clean animals.

”I only got the idea to pose them with instruments when I went shopping and saw a tiny guitar for sale in a window.

”When I held the camera they did whatever I wanted them to. They are so clever they even recognise their own names. I just fell in love with them.

”They know exactly how to pose and both are really talented actors. We have a really good understanding. They always know what I am saying.”

Ellen bought Moppy and Witje in November 2007 after she adopted a lonely rat and fell in love with the tiny mammals.

She came up with the idea for taking photographs of them with instruments after she spotted the miniature guitar.

But Moppy and Witje’s collection of miniature musical instruments is now almost endless.

Professional photographer Ellen is now considering training more off the

rodents to ‘play’ the instruments and expand the band.

Adrian Hearn

Twitter: @swns

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Discussion

Gavin

a-w-e-s-o-m-e.
Krystie

Oh wow, this makes me want to go adopt some mice and do the same
Mjones672

yeah, but can they PLAY those instruments?
Robotfarts

this makes me want to buy big heavy shoes
Robotfarts

this makes me want to buy big heavy shoes
Sarah Jennings0

no
Sarah Jennings0

no
R Mosby

Those aren’t mice, those are rats. They’re much more intelligent than mice that will just crap in your hand and bite you. I’ve owned both. Rats make much better pets.
R Mosby

Those aren’t mice, those are rats. They’re much more intelligent than mice that will just crap in your hand and bite you. I’ve owned both. Rats make much better pets.
A_leger26

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Velvetbrux

someone always has to come in with the “kill the rodent” comment, don’t they. well it is their loss for not accepting how loving and intelligent our precious little fuzzies are.
Velvetbrux

someone always has to come in with the “kill the rodent” comment, don’t they. well it is their loss for not accepting how loving and intelligent our precious little fuzzies are.
Raptor

Rats are disgusting vermin and should be destroyed as such. They are trying to eat the bloody things, not hold them “cutely”. This whole thing is pathetic.
Raptor

Rats are disgusting vermin and should be destroyed as such. They are trying to eat the bloody things, not hold them “cutely”. This whole thing is pathetic.
Curiousgoods13

I know a lot of musicians who would crack up if they saw these !! It’s pretty amazing how smart animals are !!!
Curiousgoods13

I know a lot of musicians who would crack up if they saw these !! It’s pretty amazing how smart animals are !!!
kyaakone

i know he can *get* the job, but can he *do* the job? I’m not arguing that with you
Anonymous

jerk
3dogshouse

Eeeee! I love them! What a marvelous and clever thing you and your fuzzies have managed here!
3dogshouse

Eeeee! I love them! What a marvelous and clever thing you and your fuzzies have managed here!
rat lover

these pictures are for rats lovers to view, they are loved very much and saying stupid shit like that just shows what a closed minded, idiot you really are. does it make you people feel better to say hurtful things to people? does it make you feel bigger,cooler? well, i have news for you: you are not.
rat lover

these pictures are for rats lovers to view, they are loved very much and saying stupid shit like that just shows what a closed minded, idiot you really are. does it make you people feel better to say hurtful things to people? does it make you feel bigger,cooler? well, i have news for you: you are not.
rat lover

you put shame to the name rapture. yes, raptures eat rodents but these are someones pets. they are part of the family just like a cat or dog. please dont say insulting and hurtful things.
rat lover

you put shame to the name rapture. yes, raptures eat rodents but these are someones pets. they are part of the family just like a cat or dog. please dont say insulting and hurtful things.
Sandra

another beautiful example of how EVERTHING in life deserves the chance to excel….It’s time humans stop acting like we are the only species that has rights to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am grateful for your unusual efforts as it will help awaken many people to the LONG suppressed capabilities of the animal kingdom.
Sandra

another beautiful example of how EVERTHING in life deserves the chance to excel….It’s time humans stop acting like we are the only species that has rights to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am grateful for your unusual efforts as it will help awaken many people to the LONG suppressed capabilities of the animal kingdom.
Suzziq123

So are you!
Suzziq123

So are you!
Blahblahblah

Those are so cool, you know the rats. Mice are just copiers who like to mimic the rat’s amazing intelligence!
aussiesheplover

Actually, it’s “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Freedom and liberty are basically the same concept.

Also militant animal-rights protesters are idiots, most domesticated animals would just cause trouble and get hit by cars if you “liberated” them.
Geferie1256

so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Boomtown Rats: Amazing musical rodents

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