This plush animal is handcrafted in Germany with special emphasis on naturalistic appearance and excellent quality. It fulfills the demands of collectors and enthusiasts who ask for plush toys to be produced with selected natural materials. It is optimally designed to give children an understanding of shy animals that are difficult to observe in the wild as they conceal themselves from humans. When these animals are in soft toy form, children can come to like them while including them in their play. The rat is made of mohair wool. It won a 2006 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2006.