Rats?

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My mom would never let me get a Rat. Hope Courtney sees this so she can help you.. I'm pretty sure they're a little bit similar to hammies though, except for the few minor things, but don't go by my word, lol.

Really? I've always thought of rat as big *shrugs*
Is Courtney's username Chilli? In the first post I don't really feel comfortable calling her "chilli"

[Roxyluvsme13]

Really? I've always thought of rat as big *shrugs*
Is Courtney's username Chilli? In the first post I don't really feel comfortable calling her "chilli"

LOL. Well, they're both rodents somewhat and they require the same basic care I suppose, lol. Yes, Courtney's username is Chilli ^__^

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LOL. Well, they're both rodents somewhat and they require the same basic care I suppose, lol. Yes, Courtney's username is Chilli ^__^

Yeah, I suppose they do require somewhat the same care since they are both basicly rodents... but I think rats like to climb more. I dunno, hurry up Courtney

[Argranade]

I would get a rat but then there buts kinda kreep me out.

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I would get a rat but then there buts kinda kreep me out.

Why? *wonder's what a rat's butt looks like* LOL

[Argranade]

Why? *wonder's what a rat's butt looks like* LOL

Go look at one at the pet store there buts freak me out.

I think its just male's not shur hehe.

[Khay]

Go look at one at the pet store there buts freak me out.

I think its just male's not shur hehe.

You're probably referring to their "manly appendages"

[Chilli]

I'm here! XD
Also, Zara(Miss_Z) knows loads about rats, also. So she can give you plenty of info once she sees this.
First off, a rat isn't quite like a hamster. And adult rats are normally quite a bit bigger than a hamster. =) The only reason my rats look a bit smaller, is that for one, 5 out of 7 of my rats are only 5 months old. Also, my full-grown guys are double rex. Hair adds to a rats' size, so they look rather small.
And about the rat butt, she's probably referring to males? You don't even notice it after a while. I get visiters and they often point and ask what it is. O: Its no different than an un-neutered dog, really...sorta.
To your questions...
How hard are they to care for? As said, it depends on your definition of hard. Like said, they most likely WILL need to go to the vet. So far, only 3 of my rats have had to go. I've spent up to $80-some dollars just on one visit, and I know I'll spend more in the future.

How often does their cage need cleaning? Once a week, normally. Males are a bit stinkier(their droppings & all), so be prepaired to do extra cleanings.


What kind of tank do they need? No tank! Wire cages are good. Right now my girls are being housed in a large bird cage, you just gotta make sure that there isn't any place for them to escape. My girls are great escape artists. =D

How hard is it to tame them? Again, it depends on the rat. My younger rats were way easier to tame, though one of the girls is super shy. My older males gave me a hard time at first, but now they've turned into sweet guys who like to curl up in my hoodie and sleep^^.


Do they bite a lot? Usually its the person's fault. Normally, no, they don't bite. I've only been bitten by my double rex boys, and that was totally my fault. They tend to mistake fingers as food. Alot of rats have toe-obsessions. So don't think of a nip on the toe as an actual bite. Do discourage this behaivor, though.

Do they like to snuggle? Depends on the rat. Males are known to be much more relaxed and squishy, My double rex boys like nothing more than to crawl into my hoodie and sleep. Though not all males live up to this statement.

Are they nocturnal like hamsters? Really, if you play with them alot, they get used to your schedule. Usually, my rats sleep at night, though occasionally get up to rough-house around.

And lastly... how do I convience my mom, who has afobia of those supposedly "evil monsters" to her, to let me get one?
As said, never just one rat!! They're pack animals. They thrive off of the company of their own kind, and the company of you. Of course, never start out with alot. Starting out with two is a good number. Two of the SAME sex. You don't want no babies. ^__^
Like my mum, your mum thinks of them as "plague-carrying vermin", right? First, show her you know ALL about how to care for them. Point out that they're clean, affectionate, etc. I got my mum to talk to an employee at a petstore that I'm friends with. That guy put in a good word about. It helps mums to know that the info is coming from an another adult, you know?

Any more questions, feel free to ask. If you use MSN (messenger), you can always add me, and we can talk that way.