You have to be careful with rats mind guys as if they feel threatened, they will jump at you - trust me, it's well scary when they are that size. It's like, rats on steroids lol.
I had a prob with rats up my yard. They were brave little sods and came out when I was there. I decided to turn out the lights and stand nice and still and quiet to see what they did. I only hat to wait about a min and I was surrounded by 5 of the fat buggers, one of which did indeed jump at me when it saw me!!! The only time in my life I have ever screamed and went out then and there and brought shed loads of poison!! Ratty no more after that.