Eli5: How did Rats end up being domesticated by humans?

Question

Eli5: How did Rats end up being domesticated by humans?

In: 50

Answer 1

So at first, you had professional ratcatchers, who operated on a purely exterminatory basis. But once there was a formalized profession in place, the ratcatchers started side hustles with the produce of their work, the most lucrative of which was bloodsport—supplying live rats to sporting houses where people would bet on the performance of terriers and other ratting dog breeds. This became so lucrative that wild-caught rats weren’t enough to meet the demand, so the more prolific ratcatchers started breeding their feeder stock. Over time this produced a sub-genus of docile rats that would become the domesticated species we know today, and once the breeders started selecting for unique fur patterns, public interest in pet rats exploded.

Answer 2

So at first, you had professional ratcatchers, who operated on a purely exterminatory basis. But once there was a formalized profession in place, the ratcatchers started side hustles with the produce of their work, the most lucrative of which was bloodsport—supplying live rats to sporting houses where people would bet on the performance of terriers and other ratting dog breeds. This became so lucrative that wild-caught rats weren’t enough to meet the demand, so the more prolific ratcatchers started breeding their feeder stock. Over time this produced a sub-genus of docile rats that would become the domesticated species we know today, and once the breeders started selecting for unique fur patterns, public interest in pet rats exploded.