Social is an understatement. These creatures thrive on connections to others—even outside of their own species. To strengthen their abilities, you must give them proper playtime outside of their cage and inside of it. Rats’ Learning Capability Understanding life in these lava tubes, and the mineral record this life imparts, could be the key to our search for life off of Earth. For places like Mars which likely once held life and could still today, understanding these caves and how to look for even the smallest traces of biology is essential. Even if there is no life on Mars today, caves could preserve the remains of ancient life for us to find.

Remember that the lava flows pose numerous hazards, including methane explosions where lava covers brush, acidic ocean plumes, instability of the new lava ledges formed where lava enters the ocean, and toxic fumes from burning pavement. Heed the warning signs and safely enjoy the spectacle. When I was new to keeping rats and hamsters I didn’t understand just how important these platforms were! I have seen many Youtube videos of rats sitting on lava ledges and chewing them, now you can see our Youtube videos too! A: Lava ledges are not designed for outdoor use and should only be used indoors, in a controlled environment. Q: How long do lava ledges last?

Supervise your pet - Always supervise your pet when they are using a lava ledge, especially if they are still getting used to it. But beyond helping us pinpoint the best spots to search for life, these caves could bring us one step closer to a permanent presence on the Moon and safe exploration at Mars – the ultimate goal of the Artemis program. If your rat can chew on something, you can bet they will. That’s one of the reasons it’s so essential to buy products that can’t hurt your little rodent. Round platforms are smaller and best suited to hamsters and smaller pets, we like to put treats up on the ledges. Magmas with a low viscosity and volatile contents (e.g. water vapour, carbon dioxide) are erupted quietly as effusive lava flows (as seen almost daily at Mauna Loa, Hawaii) whereas lavas with a high viscosity and/or excess volatile content are erupted explosively and generally result in fragmental deposits rather than lava flows (e.g. Mount St Helens, United States of America(USA)). Basaltic magma (low silica content) is usually erupted as lava flows whereas rhyolitic magmas (high silica content) are commonly erupted as pyroclastic deposits or short flows. Lava flows

If you decide to use a lava ledge with your pet rat, it is important to take steps to ensure their safety. Here are some tips for using lava ledges safely with your pet rat:

The lava has been more-or-less evenly divided between the eastern and the central flow lobes for most of the past month. There have also been several short-lived channelized 'a'a flows high on Pulama Pali. Much of the volume of new lava has inflated the flows along the nearly flat coastal plain. Flows inflate when new lava moves underneath previously formed lava crusts and lifts the crust upward. There are numerous small surface breakouts of lava inland on the coastal plain along each of the two main flow lobes.

If your pet loves to chew natural bark then the bark platform is a rounded natural platform for hamsters and small animals, even rats. They`ll love to run and climb and you can position them across different levels. As they chew them you can replace them as Scarletts Rat Essentials has low prices, cheap accessories and wheels for small pets so it won't cost you the earth. A: Lava ledges can be used with other small animals, such as hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs, as long as they meet the size and safety requirements of the specific species. Q: Are lava ledges easy to clean? One of the most significant of their many results is a working theory the team calls the “Micro-Mineral Continuum,” describing how past and present microbial life appears in the caves. Texture - Consider the texture of the lava ledge. A rough surface can be uncomfortable for your pet to walk on, while a smooth surface can be slippery. Rats have four large teeth in the front of their mouths called incisors. Incisors are open-rooted teeth, which means they never stop growing. If your rat doesn’t have something to chew on, they can’t naturally file their teeth.

What are Lava Ledges?

A: Lava ledges are relatively easy to clean, as they can be wiped down with a damp cloth. However, it is important to keep the ledge clean to prevent the buildup of bacteria or mold, which can be harmful to your pet. Q: Can lava ledges be used outdoors? We also have a selection of wooden shelves, the corner wooden shelf is even big enough for rabbits and guinea pigs. A ledge allows your pet somewhere to sit up off the floor which can be cold or damp. The most viscous lavas grow into domes, which are forced upwards (simply by pressure from the underlying magma) through the vent to form a protruding plug or spine. The weight of the growing plug or spine starts a collapse. The spine loses material from its sides and top, and crashes down around the base. Some domes expand outwards as well as upwards by inflation of the hot underlying magma. The Tarawera Complex on the North Island of New Zealand is an excellent example. Lava domes grow relatively slowly, about 1 m - 2 m per day. Submarine lavas

Material - Choose a lava ledge made from a safe, non-toxic material that is free from sharp edges or small pieces that could be swallowed by your pet. Size - Consider the size of the lava ledge in relation to your pet's cage and the size of your pet. A ledge that is too large or too small can pose a hazard to your pet.Imagine descending into a cave carved out by lava to work alongside a rover about the size of Spirit and Opportunity on Mars, watching the pristine wilderness of a national park transition into tall pillars and stalactites, all in a search for subterranean microbes. Lava ledges with added minerals are great for rats, chinchillas, gerbils and small animals. They come in 2 sizes and are our best selling platform ledges.