These boys came to us on 5/21/24 as part of an oops litter.
Fostered by James and Sara in Salem, MA.
#2024283N, “Parsnip”, Rat, Pink-Eyed-White, , Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 04/20/2024, Spayed/Neutered?: No
#2024284N, “Turnip”, Rat, Pink-Eyed-White, , Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 04/20/2024, Spayed/Neutered?: No
#2024285N, “Coconut”, Rat, Pink-Eyed-White, , Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 04/20/2024, Spayed/Neutered?: No
#2024287N, “Potato”, Rat, Pink-Eyed-White, , Standard Ears/Standard Coat, Male, DOB: 04/20/2024, Spayed/Neutered?: No
UPDATE 3/1/25:
All four boys have come a very long way here.
Coconut is the bravest and most attention seeking, and will climb out onto your shoulder to happily take tours of the house!
Parsnip and Turnip are a little less confident, but both will now come to the doors to seek attention and treats and can get scooped up without much hassle.
Potato is still a little shy and unsure, but you can see the FOMO taking over as his friends get all the attention and he’ll come out and take treats too.
All 4 of them are great shoulder riders and love their playtime and getting to explore new things. You can really see the sweet nature of all four of these boys as they develop into the big squishy PEWs they were born to be!
UPDATE 1/17/25:
The boys have made considerable progress! Everyone will usually step completely on the foster’s hand to accept yummy treats.
Turnip and Potato will tolerate brief pets before moving away. Coconut and Parsnip will accept some pets for a few seconds. None of the boys seem to enjoy being petted or seek it out. Coconut and Parsnip recently allowed themselves to be scooped up but only sniffed the foster briefly before looking elsewhere or moving away. They all do still flinch at sudden noises or movements but recover quickly.
These boys are energetic and curious climbers. Bird ropes and bridges and ledges, oh my ! Foraging for food / treats is another favorite activity. During down time, they can be found all together in one hammock, or spread out in hanging mats, baskets, or in a wooden hide among the aspen . During free range, exploring is the name of the game. They run around on the foster’s desktop, sometimes finding odd bits to take back into the cage or an occasional bit of oats or puffed rice.
They were recently exposed to a close-quartered free range where the only thing of interest was the foster, allowing some more handling than they are used to. All adapted pretty well, though their exploratory urges kicked in and they were off, figuring out how to move to another piece of furniture.
The boys get along very well, and the two shyer boys benefit from being around the two more outgoing ones. Due to their startle tendencies, they would be happiest in a quiet home with a cage full of enrichment activities, and a patient owner who is OK with them being “rats’ rats.” They would do best being adopted all together.
UPDATE 8/19/24:
After a period adjustment, the boys have settled into their new foster home. They do startle easily at noises, but have seemed to acclimate to ones they know, like foster mom changing water bottles. Everyone will usually come to the front of the door for attention and will generally accept food offerings. They are not comfortable being petted, but are becoming willing to step on their foster’s hand for treats.
Because they will not willingly allow themselves to be scooped up, they free range on a nearby desk surface, as it provides all kinds of exploration as well as cage access when they need it. In their cage, they love their climbing and foraging opportunities.
If we were giving out titles, they would be awarded as follows:
Coconut – ” Most Confident” Usually first at the door, will accept some pets on his side
Parsnip – “Most Unpredictable” Sometimes will come out to play, sometimes he won’t
Potato – “Most Reserved” Often sleeps by himself, often last to come out of a hide or to play. Does not like fingers in front of his face ( unless there is a treat)
Turnip – “Most Adventurous” Finds the highest part of free range, always pushes boundaries, has managed a free range escape.
They all get along so well. I would love to see them all adopted together!
UPDATE 6/3/24:
They are all fairly skittish sadly, with Coconut, Turnip and Parsnip being the most outgoing. They allow me to pet them but don’t enjoy being picked up. They do not nip and are beginning to take food from my hand. They all seem very healthy, they just startle easily.
Their favorite foods are lentils, peas, cucumber and pasta.
Parsnip
Turnip
Coconut
Potato
Parsnip (left) & Turnip (right)
Coconut (left) & Potato (right)
Together
