Friday, July 24, 2009

Boomtown rats!

Look to your laurels, Bob Geldof, here come the real... Boomtown rats!

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:44 AM on 24th July 2009

They sound a little squeaky. And their taste in music could only be described as cheesy.

But this must still be one of the most endearing duos in the animal kingdom. The two pet rats have been trained by their owner to 'play' tiny instruments in their paws.

rat playing guitar

Rock 'n' rodent: Moppy and Witje were trained to pose with the instruments, including this guitar, using food treats

A rat holds a accordion
rat playing trumpet

All rat jazz: Playing an accordion and trumpet is just a run on the wheel for these rodents

Using food treats, photographer Ellen van Deelen taught Moppy and Witje to pose with a variety of instruments, including pan pipes, guitars, flutes and trombones.

Miss van Deelen, from Roosendaal in Holland, said she came up with the idea after seeing a tiny guitar for sale in a shop window.

She claimed her 'very intelligent' pets picked up the knack in no time.

rat playing a flute

All around my rat: The Pied Piper of Hamelin had the night off

A rat holds a set of pan pipes
A rat holds a french horn

You hum it, I'll play it: The rats try out some tunes on the pan pipes (left) and the French horn (right)

'When I held the camera they did whatever I wanted them to,' she said.

'They are so clever they even recognise their own names.

'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.'

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