These boys came to us on 7/19/22 after being rescued from someone who was keeping them caged outdoors in mixed-sex groups.
Fostered by Jamie in Concord, NH.
UPDATE 2/2/2023:
“These boys are extremely sweet but tend to be pretty shy and easily startled with sudden movements or loud noises. They have slowly gotten better over the past five weeks I’ve had them. They will need an experienced rat owner to keep working with them to keep them coming out of their shells and are probably not the best option for young children or loud environments.
They all get along great with one another and you can find many combinations sacked out in hammocks, hides or space pods at any given time in the cage. They will let you give them scritches when they are out in the open resting in a hammock but I do my best to not put my fingers into any enclosed spaces. I personally have not had any bites or nips in the five weeks I’ve had them, but previous fosters reported some issues.
They are not particularly fond of being handled or picked up so I generally let them come out for free roam by just leaving their cage door open but when I do have to pick them up on occasion (whether to get them back into the cage after free roam or to do daily checks on them), none of them have tried to bite or nip.
They love their morning veggies and are usually waiting at the cage door for them when I get up in the morning. After morning veg, they get to free roam for about 30 minutes. They generally get another 30 minutes when I get home from work and then maybe another 30 minutes later in the evening. They do love to explore during free roam and run, hide and play under blankets and search tubes, hides and boxes for Cheerios or Gerber puffs that I’ve left out for them to find. Ocassionally they will put themselves back in the cage when they’ve had enough or can be tempted back in by a treat.
Whitey is the bravest of the bunch and usually the first one at the door looking for a treat or to come out for free roam. He will ocassionally come seek me out during free roam to see if I’ve got any good treats and sometimes I can get him to come up on my lap if he deems the treat worthy enough (usually a mini M&M). He is bonded most closely to Arnold.
Mati & Zap would be the next bravest. They are usually not far behind Whitey at the door when it’s time to come out or get a treat. They can often be found together in the cage.
Bear is the loveable doofus of the group. He’s the chonkiest and laziest of the bunch. He is happiest napping in a cozy hammock or hide and can generally be found snoozing under a blanket or under the cage when free roam time is up.
Arnold is the shyest of the group. He does his best to try and hide if he sees you are watching him. He will generally come out for free roam on his own, but occasionally has to be scooped out of the cage. If he doesn’t think you are watching him he’ll explore and play with his brothers during free roam, but if he catches you watching, he’ll scoot under a blanket or hide under the cage.
It would be awesome if they could all go together since they’ve been together so long and all get along so well together, but if they had to be split up I suggest the following:
Arnold, Whitey & Bear / Mati & Zap”
ADOPTED:
#2022433N, “Mati”, Rat, Black, , Dumbo Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 01/26/2022, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes 08/09/2022
#2022431N, “Zap”, Rat, Black, Blaze, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 01/26/2022, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes 08/09/2022
#2022434N, “Arnold”, Rat, Black, Blaze, Dumbo Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 01/26/2022, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes 08/09/2022
#2022435N, “Bear”, Rat, Black, , Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 01/26/2022, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes 08/09/2022
#2022432N, “Whitey”, Rat, Black and White, Hooded, Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 01/26/2022, Spayed/Neutered?: Yes 08/09/2022
Arnold
Bear
Whitey
Mati
Zap
Mati (left) & Whitey (right)
Bear (left), Zap (center) & Mati (right)
Mati, Zap, Whitey & Bear (left to right)
