A nine-month-old rat named Lucy Lou Ragamuffin has been crowned grand champion at the Sydney Royal Easter Show's rat and mice competition, run by the NSW Fancy Rodent Society. The brown patchwork rat, exhibited by 79-year-old Sandra McLean, took the top prize after also winning first place in the patchwork rat category.
Judge Rachel Sydenham, with 30 years of experience as a rat keeper and breeder, assessed each animal for physical appearance and temperament. 'We're trying to showcase the best examples of the species,' she said. 'They need to be a happy, healthy, functional and friendly animal.' Sydenham noted that rats are 'jokesters' and have a natural affinity for people.
In the mouse competition, Twisted Whiskaz Xero, exhibited by Sam Dittmer, was named grand champion mouse after placing first in the patchwork mouse category. Twisted Whiskaz Megan Fox, shown by Hollie Winter, came second overall as champion and won first place in the long coat marked mouse category.
McLean, who has been competing since 2013, started keeping rats after finding three babies in her shed. 'I just fell in love with rats,' she said. 'You can interact with a rat and they'll interact with you. Who couldn't fall in love with that face?' She currently has about 40 rats at home, including one named Witchetty.
Sydenham, who keeps at least 30 rats, described them as addictive. 'They're like Pokémon. You've got to catch them all,' she said. 'They're characters, jokers, absolute comedians.' The event aims to showcase happy, healthy, and friendly rodents, with a strong community of breeders and enthusiasts.
