Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / August 2008

We have 2 rats (I wrote earlier about how to intro a new rat).  One is
about 2 months old, and the other is about 6-7 weeks.  The older one
has been with us about 1 1/2 months now, and the younger one about 10
days.  We've been introducing them slowly, espcially since the newer
one (name is Peanut Butter) tends to bite.  Fancy Pants (the oldest
one) is very calm and likes to be with humans.  Anyway..our concern
was that Peanut Butter would bite the other rat (she's bitten her tail
when it's been near her).  We put their cages close together, switched
them to each others cage, etc. to get used to the smell.  Then we put
them in a neutral area (bathtub) together.  They didn't even really
seem to notice each other, seemed to be more interested in exploring
the tub or getting out!  We've done this about 3 times.  Today I
opened up both cages and let them explore.  Well, Peanut Butter went
into Fancy Pants' cage, and WOW, they found each other there.  First
Peanut Butter did some sniffing, but Fancy Pants flipped her on her
back, and basically stood on her.  No biting that I could tell, and no
squeking as if they were hurt, but seemed rather aggressive.  I called
to Fancy Pants, and she stopped, but the minute that Peanut butter got
near, she flipped her over again.

Is this her way of showing dominance?  Will this decrease when they
get to know each other better?  Is this okay??  I don't want them to
hurt each other.  Curiously enough, Peanut Butter seems quite a bit
bigger, but that seemed to make no difference!  They are now exploring
each others cage quite thoroughly!

THanks for all the advice.  They sure are fascinating little
creatures.  If I would have known how much fun they were, I would have
gotten them much sooner!