Finger nibbling?

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Meghan - 29 Sep 2004 04:29 GMT

What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers over
and over? Is it...

1) I'm hungry where are the treats?
2) I want to go back home now
3) This is a fun game / I'm teasing my human
4) ???

Meghan

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Mark Tomlinson - 29 Sep 2004 04:57 GMT

Depends on the nibbling, mainly. But I've come to interpret it as grooming.
Since my hand is about the size of a rat, mine will play with my hand as if
it is a playmate, Then, when they tire, they will settle down next to my
hand and nibble and lick and paw at it. Usually in response to me rubbing
their ears or belly. I don't believe my rodents think my hand IS a rat.
Most will glance up at my face while doing this - I assume they are looking
for approval.

I especially like doing this with Angel, my fat three legged rat. He tires
easily and settles into grooming pretty quick.

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Mark Tomlinson
"I'm not a trouble maker; I am a catalyst for change."

> What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
> and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Meghan

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paghat - 29 Sep 2004 17:07 GMT

> What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
> and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers over
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Meghan

Mark's notion that they are grooming you is almost certainly what they're
up to. Most rats groom either by licking or scraping with their teeth, or
both. They always groom each other & if they think of you as being as
lovely as a rat, they'll groom you too.

-paghat the ratgirl

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"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com

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J&S Bouchard - 29 Sep 2004 19:24 GMT

> What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
> and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Meghan

4) I must groom you to show you how much I love you. ;)

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Joanne
Mom to 11 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Mariette - 29 Sep 2004 22:30 GMT

>> What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
>> and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>
>4) I must groom you to show you how much I love you. ;)

4a.) And I must remove any Band-Aids or scabs or bumps or other
irregular, "non-smooth" areas that you may have to prove how much I
love you too. ;)

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Mariette
<:3 )3~~ <:3 )3~~ <:3 )3~~
http://community.webshots.com/user/wabewawa
(wabewawa61-at-earthlink-dot-net)

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Meghan - 30 Sep 2004 04:26 GMT

Yeah!! Yeah!! I got peed on and bitten tonight. She really loves me! :-)
No, seriously, Maggie is the sweetest rat ever. She even did some bruxing
tonight under my big sweatshirt. We're in love.

Meghan

> What does it mean when a you're playing with your rattie during out-time,
> and after 5 or 10 minutes she suddenly starts nibbling at your fingers over
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Meghan

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J&S Bouchard - 30 Sep 2004 14:14 GMT

> Yeah!! Yeah!! I got peed on and bitten tonight. She really loves me!
> :-)
> No, seriously, Maggie is the sweetest rat ever. She even did some bruxing
> tonight under my big sweatshirt. We're in love.
>
> Meghan

And only us rat lovers will go "awww.." to this statement. lol

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Joanne
Mom to 11 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2004

Finger nibbling?