Meet the HeroRATs: Why APOPO’s Life-Saving Rats Are Now Nesting in Eco Bedding
At Eco Bedding, we’ve always believed small animals can make a big impact. APOPO’s HeroRATs take that belief to the next level.
Trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis, these remarkable rats have helped save lives and rebuild communities across the globe. Now, a special group of seven HeroRATs is heading to the U.S. for a new kind of mission: public education.
A New Journey, Supported by Sustainable Bedding
This summer, seven of APOPO’s most extraordinary rats are beginning a new chapter as ambassadors for global good. After years of life-saving work in Tanzania, they’ll now help educate the public through a rotating exhibit at three U.S. zoos.
The tour kicks off at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Kansas, then continues to the Denver Zoo in Colorado and The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in California.
We’re honored to support their journey with Eco Bedding and Eco Forage Boxes—two products designed to promote comfort, enrichment, and sustainability for even the most sensitive small animals.
Here’s what the APOPO team had to say:
“I was excited to find a small animal bedding product that is not only low-environmental impact, but also made of recycled materials. Best of all, it actually works.” – APOPO Team Member
Why Eco Bedding Works for APOPO’s Traveling Rats
Caring for small animals on the move—especially ones trained for public interaction—requires a substrate that’s safe, clean, and behaviorally supportive.
Eco Bedding offers:
- 99.9% dust-free performance
- Made from clean, 100% recycled paper
- No added dyes or chemicals
- Low-tracking krinkle texture
- Spot-cleanable and clump-friendly
- Ideal for burrowing, nesting, and caching
“The rats were even using it to cover cached food items, which is not a behavior we saw before.”
Backed by Research: Calmer, Healthier Habitats
Eco Bedding isn’t just cleaner—it’s clinically better.
Studies have shown that small animals housed on natural paper bedding like Eco Bedding experience:
- Lower resting heart rates
- Reduced stress behaviors
- Increased natural behaviors like burrowing and nesting
- Improved fur condition and respiratory comfort
These benefits were echoed by APOPO caretakers, who observed that the rats quickly adapted to the bedding and appeared calmer and more engaged, even in new environments.
“We noticed they appeared more relaxed overall, and their typical behaviors resumed even in unfamiliar settings.”
Enrichment, Evolved: The Eco Forage Box
Alongside our bedding, the HeroRATs also received our Eco Forage Boxes—an interactive, scent-based enrichment tool that doubles as a shreddable toy.
Caretaker feedback highlights included:
- Folded insert is ideal for hiding treats and herbs
- Durable enough to withstand extended sniffing and pawing
- Made from recyclable, pet-safe cardboard
- Can be repurposed for shredding and nest building
“The box held up to some furious investigation. Once they were done, the rats shredded it—win-win.”
Smart Bedding for Pets, People, and the Planet
Whether you’re caring for rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, chinchillas, or rescue animals, Eco Bedding is designed to meet high standards for animal comfort and environmental responsibility.
- 99.9% dust-free
- Made from post-consumer recycled paper
- Designed to reduce waste and protect sensitive animals
- Available in retail packs, bulk supply, and private label
Interested in Bulk Orders or Partnership Opportunities?
Whether you’re outfitting a zoo, stocking your retail shelves, or looking for sustainable bedding solutions for shelters or rescues, we’d love to work with you.
Reach out to explore wholesale pricing, custom formats, or private label options.
Let’s bring better bedding to more animals, together.