ive got two 10 week old bucks and im having trouble find info. the books ive got contradict themselfs. one male is making lots of noises like squeaks / chattering. is this normal? and the other one is a bit timid, how should i go about handling them? also how do i tell the difference between play and real fighting?
Answers:
If your buck is chattering a lot to himself and making squeaking noises, it is very likely that he is sick and has a respiratory infection! You should probably get him to a vet as soon as possible. What kind of shavings do you have in their cage? Rats commonly conceive respiratory infections via the wrong kind of bedding (any kind of soft wood shaving). I suggest any sort of paper bedding (I use a bedding made out of recycled cardboard); although with paper (and, actually most things) you have to be careful never to let the rats ingest the bedding, as it may cause a blockage. In my experience, however, this is rare. None of my rats have ever so much as chewed on their bedding, let alone swallowed it. :D So you should be in the clear with paper bedding.
As for your timid rat, it could be that he is simply nervous. New homes are always frightening, and some rats simply don't take well to all of the excitement. My latest rat, Indy, was very timid when we first brought her home. Actually, she still is very timid. Little by little, however, she is warming up to me. We discovered that what we thought was behavior relating fear was actually a desire to snuggle (she is constantly scrambling full speed up my arm and diving down my shirt, where she will then curl up and fall asleep, bruxing like a mad woman.) xD
As for handling your timid rat, you may want to lure him out and encourage his trust with treats. Fresh foods like Romaine Lettuce, Carrots, Peas, etc are healthy and apparently quite tasty, too! Try offering him some of those. His first desire is to snatch it and run off. You can allow him to do this, at first, but eventually start making him stay put (continue holding on to the veggie, not allowing him to scamper off with it) while he eats. Also, I find it best to simply reach in and grab my rat, rather than waiting for her to come to the door and see who's out there. It's less time consuming, and speeds up the bonding process. Take him out of his cage a few times a day and just handle him. Pet him, talk to him, let him wander around your shoudlers or snuggle in your shirt, as mine likes to do. :] Eventually, he should start showing signs that he is happy to see you. You may also want to offer him a small snippet of fresh veggies (like a small piece of lettuce or a slice of baby carrot) when you open the cage door, to strengthen the link between positive memory and the sound of the cage door opening, or your smell.
Then again, since your other buck is probably sick, your timid rat may be, too. This may very well be the reason he is timid in the first place. It may be wise to bring both rats to the vet's office, just to be sure.
And finally, fighting. :] You can tell play from real fighting because during play fighting, the rats will generally target the neck area, ironically enough -- and during a real fight, the rats will go more for the rump. Keep a close eye on them -- no wounds are EVER sustained during a play fight unless it's accidental (in which case, you would probably see a broken leg or tail, not bite marks). So if there are wounds on your rat, this may be a sign that your bucks are fighting for real.
Anyway, I think I've already written too much, LOL! I hope I didn't bore you or wear you out with all of that. Here are some fantastic websites for you to check out, with lots of ratty information:
http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm...
http://www.rmca.org/resources/rmcafaq.ht...
http://wererat.net/rathelp/
http://spazrats.tripod.com/
Good luck with your rats! %26lt;3
when you get new rats it can take a long time for them to settle into a new environment so being timid and shy is normal for the first few weeks, rats can make noises they may just be talking to one nother and is nothing to worry about, when handling them be very gentle and dont make fast movements just try gentely getting them used to your hands and your scent and work your way on from there, most of the time if the rats have been together since birth and housed together they should not fight but keep an eye on them just in case.
Hey Hunny
Congrates on your new rats :-)
You should find quite abit of research over the net search on google.
As they are new they are in a new enviroment,which they aint use to so it will take some time for them to settle,let them be for a few days so they can get use to being in a new place,after a few days start calling them by there names and sitting beside there cage so they can see you,it takes time but its all worth it in the end :-) Then start putting your hand in and letting them come and smell it dont get scared they only bite when they are scared.Take each step slowly dont rush into it or they will never be tamed.Go onto googleand type in taming my rats and lots will come up.Theres also pet forums you can join,where you can share pictures of your rats with other rat owners and learn new things and ask questions about your rat they are always there to help.
Goodluck%26lt;3
Oh yeah the squeaking is normal they may be play fighting but if you see any blood then sepertae them asap.My robo's started fighting it got serious so i had to seperate them its heartbreaking but had to be done.Goodluck.
Let me recommend one of the best, most active groups around for answering any and every question you can imagine for pet rats! The Ratlist:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ratli...
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The ratlist is for discussion about pet rats.
For more information read the ratlist FAQ
If you need urgent rat medical help, please email rathelp@yahoogroups.com
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This is the sixth incarnation of the ratlist, which has existed since at least 1995.
I am a member and I am always amazed at how friendly, well-educated, and just plain FUN the people are. The Ratlist is international with members from all over, so you're assured of a wide variety of opinions to choose from. *grin*
Best of luck with your babies!
The chattering is normal. You should handle them with care. Gently. If they are playing, they will just be chasing each other once in a while. If they are fighting, they will be on each other and making really..really loud squeaks. There are lots of websites you can try but I haven't got one. Sorry.
the squeeking noises u hear can b if they are frightened when u go to pick them up, or just like a moan because they dont like whats happening, mine often does it when they fight, haha, the chattering noise means they are happy so thats a good sign.
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