Please dont go to a petshop if you want a healthy rat that will be tame and live a long time. Also agree here...dont just get one!!!! I have a cage with five girls in and did have 2 old boys but one died at the weekend

They are VERY sociable!!! There are so many breeders around the UK where you can get healthy, friendly and tame rats!!! If you doa google search for Thames Valley Rodents you will find everything you need to know!! Breeders, varieites everything. It is excellent!!