Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2005

Hello to all the good people here, and sorry I haven't been around here much
(I've been away in Greece and my dad has been looking after the clan)

I have a major problemo..

Fred, my little female rat and mother of 11 babies has gone awol along with
one of her daughters.  I was cleaning out the girls cage, and putting the
babies into the aquarium (vented) I use when cleaning then out, when one of
the babies leaped up about a foot, and did a runner, whilst I turned my back
on Fred for a second to get the baby Fred also did a runner...

This was a couple of days ago now.  I have turned my room upside down
looking for the menaces, and I almost caught the baby yesterday, but she ran
behind the wardrobe out of my reach.

I know they are still in my bedroom here as I can hear them rustling and
running up and down.  There is food and water out for them, and they have
been taking both, it's just I am desperate to catch them before they do any
damage or injure themselves.

I really don't know how to get them back, I know there are traps which just
catch them and hold them, but I've know idea where to get one from or what
sort I should be using.

please help!

As for good news:  The little ones are growing every day it seems.  The boys
and girls are separated now, and into everything they can get there little
paws on.  The boys were introduced to Barney, and after a few minutes
bewilderment from Barney as to what had hit him they were all merely
snuggled up with each other- Barney is so placid it is almost freaky.
Barney loves being groomed, and appears really happy to have 6 young ones
who will help him out (he's not old himself though)  There are sometimes a
few tumbles, but in general they get on fabulously.

The boys are:
Stripe- grey and white with a white stripe on his head.  very very friendly
and the male I am going to keep.
Bam-Bam- Light grey, almost white with mottles. Also very friendly
Snowy, Dino and Cloud, all pink eyed whites, tend to be more relaxed
Mr. Naughty.  Grey.  Very mischievous and has eaten a hole through my
curtains.

The girls are:
Spot.  Grey with a white spot on her head.  not as tetchy as the others
Pebbles- Grey mottled with white.  a bit nervous
Fiona- grey. identical to Barney.  Quiet
Mavis.  Grey. identical too Fiona

The boys are much less nervous then the girls..im not sure why that is as
they have all had the same amount of handling..

well, it's getting late now, so I must go.

will post more pictures soon

take care
hayley