Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
umm, is that pine bedding he is housed in???
Probably, but that doesn't mean the boy didn't take great care of him. He still probably interacted with him, got him proper medical care if it was needed, and fed him a good diet. Kay knows better than not to house a rat on pine or cedar, don't 'cha Kay...

Kay, he's probably grumpy from lack of human interaction and/or the interaction he does get is not proper- students handling him harshly, etc. There is a possability that once you got him home in a nice calm setting, let him get used to your voice and smell, he just might settle down. But you made the right decision in not taking him- for your first rat you want a good rat. If it was your second, third, or fourth rat you could (if you wanted to) take him and try to work with him. Getting your first rat from a breeder is an excellent decision. My first rats came from the pet store, I didn't just jump at the first one I saw though. At the time there were none in the shelter and there are no breeders around here- so I had no choice.