The BRODENTS! Rodent Enthusiast Thread!

[spiderfish]

Bumping, 'coz i didn't get a reply before

I can't decide on Phoenix or Ash for the new rat.
Opinions?

There's quite a few pictures of him in my last post, but here's one

[orpheus.]

Bumping, 'coz i didn't get a reply before

I can't decide on Phoenix or Ash for the new rat.
Opinions?

There's quite a few pictures of him in my last post, but here's one

He's gorgeous. <3
I really like the name Phoenix for him.

[Keletheryl]

I wouldn't neuter unless they're actually showing hormonal imbalance issues (which won't happen until around 8 months of age). Technically, neutering (at like 10 months of age) will lengthen the lifespan and help remove potential health problems from the equation.

Also, I wouldn't count the feeders out! My advice, when choosing your rats, is to let them pick you out, and not the other way around. Just get to know them all a bit first, and the ones that like you from that start will let you know (my Styles literally jumped in to my arms as a baby, and Isaac licked my finger tips while the one I wanted based on color bit me), and you'll all be much happier for it! I would check out the feeders as well as the pets. Feeder rats make excellent companions, too! The only difference is usually how they are raised, so while the "pet" rats may have been handled more, that doesn't mean the feeders would be less friendly.

Thank you! I'll be sure to look at the feeders as well, and let the rats come to me! I'm very excited, i've been watching youtube videos and such trying to get a sense of what they're like.

Another question, did anybody here with rats train them to do any tricks? I think it's really cool how smart they are, and i'd love to be able to train them to do things!
So far i've heard you can train them to come when called, to stand up, to play basketball... is there anything else?

[Angelus Gaston]

I had a boy who I trained to do tricks and small jumps I took him to school back when I was a kid I did a report on rats and took him in to show how smart he was.
Needless to say everyone loved him.

[King of Crows]

Thank you! I'll be sure to look at the feeders as well, and let the rats come to me! I'm very excited, i've been watching youtube videos and such trying to get a sense of what they're like.

Another question, did anybody here with rats train them to do any tricks? I think it's really cool how smart they are, and i'd love to be able to train them to do things!
So far i've heard you can train them to come when called, to stand up, to play basketball... is there anything else?

My boys all know to come when called. I wouldn't say I've really gone out of my way to train them tricks, but they've picked up things on their own such as; "take care of your brother!" which means go comfort your pack members because they're frightened, "say sorry!" which means make up for fighting because papa doesn't like that nonsense, "give me that!" because Isaac likes to steal my pencils..."what are you doing?!" means stop what you're doing because it's bad, and many other phrases I use a lot that they've grown accustomed to.

My boys would be easy to train tricks, but I don't see much reason to it *shrug* They're my therapy companions, so most "tricks" have to do with keeping me calm

[Keletheryl]

You can train them to stay on your shoulder too, right? Rats were actually encouraged to me by my therapist c:
I told her about how one of my best (pet) friendships was when I had my gerbils, and I wanted that kind of affection from a rodent, so she suggested rats.
Part of my therapy is keeping busy and training all of my animals to do things is a big part of that

I'm probably going to need help with a third name tomorrow.. I have North and Zander already picked out, but i'm getting three, and not sure what the other should be! (possibly four... depends on the cage size in person)

[King of Crows]

You can train them to stay on your shoulder too, right? Rats were actually encouraged to me by my therapist c:
I told her about how one of my best (pet) friendships was when I had my gerbils, and I wanted that kind of affection from a rodent, so she suggested rats.
Part of my therapy is keeping busy and training all of my animals to do things is a big part of that

I'm probably going to need help with a third name tomorrow.. I have North and Zander already picked out, but i'm getting three, and not sure what the other should be! (possibly four... depends on the cage size in person)

Depends on the rat. More active rats won't want to stay on your shoulder, and younger rats won't because they have trouble balancing. Styles, the only boy of mine who can go into the public safely, will lay on my shoulder just fine, and comfort me with a lick on the cheek when I need it. Isaac will stay on my shoulders (though he doesn't like strangers), but my youngest, Sasha, will only stay still if he's curled up in my arms.

Rats make excellent emotional support animals, the only downside being their short lifespan. They are very perceptive to emotions, and mine have always responded by licking and cuddling rather than fear or aggression when I am stressed.

Names are fun XD I'm sure you'll think of something when you meet them

[Keletheryl]

Sounds good! I'll see what kind of personalities I get.
I honestly expected their lifespan to be longer; both me and my mum were shocked at the life span of them.

I honestly can't wait, I feel like Friday is so far away, even though it's just tomorrow!
Prepare for picture spam! Brace yourselves!

(Also that bird in your signature Nok, it keeps going along to my music perfectly and it's amusing me)

[.Middy.]

Really? All my boys have been easily trained to ride on shoulders! And they have a huge mix of personalities lol

My girls will be learning eventually, just gotta get them more bonded to me first!

Granted the one boys who actually go out in public are Beast and Baze. Banchee and Psycho are too afraid of other people. But they can ride on my shoulder just fine in the house. (I'm actually going to try Banchee in public soon to see what happens now that he has mellowed out so much)


I'm also really worried about Mystique, either she is going to have babies or there is something wrong with her! Her belly is getting huge! Hopefully it is babies and not something more dangerous. Babies I can deal with, her being majorly sick? Not so much

[clover.]

It's officially been a year since my little buddy passed away. qnq It definitely doesn't feel like it though.
Rest in Peace Squiggles~

Aww I'm so sorry, R.I.P Squiggles <3

Kinda late, but thank you. c: He was seriously the sweetest hammie I had ever owned. <3

I've been wanting to add a rodent to my little furry, feathery, scaly, {and shelly X3} family again. I was thinking maybe a dwarf hamster or mice. Although it probably won't be for awhile as I will have to get the cage and everything set up first. {I'm hoping to get a 20+ gallon tank. Or heck, an Ikea detolf would be amazing!}