Your rat will love to ride around the house on your shoulder

Rats are very clean animals, spending as much as a third of their waking time grooming themselves.  They are also intelligent and can be trained to come to their name and do simple tricks.

Because they are intelligent and very sociable, it's a good idea to have more than one rat.  In fact, it can make training your rat even easier than if you just have one, since your rats will be more confident and outgoing.  Be sure both your rats are the same sex unless you plan on raising them.

Rats rarely bite unless provoked, and are very friendly and sociable.  They like to run and play and will have great fun if you let them free to roam a room with the doors closed.  Be sure you keep an eye on them, though, because they have a natural tendency to search for places to hide and they also need to chew on things to wear down their teeth.  A small rat can do a lot of damage if left to it's own devices.

If you're looking for a great little pet, you won't regret getting your first rat.