Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2007

I have made some progress with my two new rats, Ninja and Lighting.

However...

+ Ninja has no problem being picked up, or having his body touched.
But he was suddenly jerk away if I try to pet him on the head. He
usually ends up being freaked out for the next minute or two, and the
next he is running around in the wheel like usual. I don't get it. Is
it a protection thing? He has no problem when I pet his back, but he
seems to have issues with me petting his head. Besides that, he is
used to me. He'll take treats from my hand. He would rather run around
then be picked up, however. I persume that's because he is young,
wild, and full of energy. (He will sit on my shoulder. But it is a hit
or miss.)

+ Lighting is really, really timid. He'll let me pick him up. But he
hides from me. I think he is shy in nature. But I can not be so sure
at this time. Any suggestions?

I plan on sleeping on a rag to get my scent on it. Would that work?
That's the only thing I can think that they will not chew up in the
matter of seconds. (Ninja decided to sleeve was a good chew toy
earlier. Lighting is happy just nibbling on my fingers.)

+ Fin, to make it short, is stingy and greedy. He will hide his
treats, and then go to the other two rats to see what he can steal
from them. Is there anything that I can do? Should I take Fin out of
the cage/area and wait until the other two are done? That way Fin will
eat his treat, and that bould bye the other two some time. I am pretty
sure that Ninja and Lighting are tired of squeaking at him.

The good note?

They sleep together. So they do get along. Just not during treat time.