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

 

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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.

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

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

 

 

 

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.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1201765/Look-laurels-Bob-Geldof-come-real--Boomtown-rats.html#ixzz0MTR9SAEe

You do have a thing for rats, don't you Mark? :P

 

But these are so frigging adorable :lol: I like the French horn pose best :D

You do have a thing for rats, don't you Mark? :P

 

But these are so frigging adorable :lol: I like the French horn pose best :D

 

Do you reckon their lead singer is called Rodent Stewart??:rolleyes:

 

And I wonder whether they specialise in mouse music??:P

I smell the work of photoshop

I smell the work of photoshop

 

Weren't you tempted to say "I smell a rat"??:P

I was tempted to say that the BNP-lite newspaper was having a slow news day

^i think the rat smelled the wrong cheese :rolleyes:

 

anyways some pics are so cute :nice:

^i think the rat smelled the wrong cheese :rolleyes:

 

anyways some pics are so cute :nice:

 

So are you planning to check out their music?? It's known as gangsta rat.:rolleyes:

So are you planning to check out their music?? It's known as gangsta rat.:rolleyes:

you really think a rat can play music mark? :dozey:

 

and no thanks, i'm happy with what i am checking now ;)

you really think a rat can play music mark? :dozey:

 

Have you never heard of Roland Rat??:shocked2:

He had a big chart hit!!:rolleyes:

 

and no thanks, i'm happy with what i am checking now ;)

 

And what might that be??:rolleyes:

Have you never heard of Roland Rat??:shocked2:

He had a big chart hit!!:rolleyes:

 

 

 

And what might that be??:rolleyes:

no clue who that person is...

and i don't guide by chart hits ;) if possible i avoid that.

 

still the same than a month before. :rolleyes:

but we are going off-topic.