Rodents as Pets? - Page 7

RATTIE · 08-12-2008, 02:20 PM

9 Ratties now.

Little Squidge just died in my arms on Sunday, completely out of the blue.

As someone previously mentioned, their short lifespan is one of the pitfalls.
They are still well worth it though for all the Love they give.

I was gonna post a pic but I don't know how.
He's in my album though so please feel free to have a look. X
------
Make that 8.

Angus went peacefully in his sleep today after a long illness.

Two of my sweet boys in exactly 48 hours.
DEVASTATED!!!

Hybrix · 08-12-2008, 02:49 PM

How long to rats generally live? Just a few years or what?

Sorry to hear about the recent deaths.

RATTIE · 08-12-2008, 03:18 PM

Thank you.

A healthy Rat lives 2-3 years.
They are prone to many illnesses though. (Just think what humans and their testing has bred in to them over the years.)

That's the only bad point about rescuing, you rarely get to know much about their past so never know their odds.

I'm still gonna do it though.

ninjakitty · 08-13-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrix

Did she eat any of the babies? When I had gerbils they would eat their babies sometimes for no apparent reason. You'd just be sitting there and suddenly you'd hear what sounded like somebody breaking cornflakes or something followed immediately by panicked very high pitched squeaking for about 5 or 10 seconds...

Yeah. There's really nothing you can do to save them one their nose is chewed off. They eat the heads first and it only takes them a few seconds.

Cannibals.

Eeek, that sounds horrible. Sorry, just saw this question now, but no, she didn't eat any of the babies, thankfully. I think I would have been traumatized. I've heard that can happen sometimes though.

RATTIE · 08-13-2008, 09:35 AM

I'm glad to have never been in that situation myself but as far as I can gather they only do it if they don't feel safe/the environment is wrong/there's something wrong with the babies.

Either way, it must be an awful experience.

funbunny · 09-12-2008, 10:04 AM

I have three rats Stuart big, Mickey and Goodboy Bindle. My first ratbabies so any helpful hints would be greatly appriciated. They are 6mnths old and a cross breed .

Originally went for two but these 3 were a err surprise to the person who bought their mum so they were up for adoption. Well I couldnt split the brothers up now could I so that's how I ended up with three bundles of joy

RATTIE · 09-16-2008, 06:53 PM

Awww, well done.

I'm SO glad they are all together too, they'll thrive so much more that way. x

wolfheart · 09-17-2008, 04:48 AM

I had mice as a kid,they were geat little pets,my brother had 2 ferrets which were very interesting little thieves,everyday you would find something in there sleeping quarters from the bedroom which they had taken a shine to!.

Sorry to hear about the your little guys RATTIE

RATTIE · 09-17-2008, 07:15 AM

Thank you Wolfheart.

I miss them So much.

I do like mice but I find it tricky enough to catch a big Rattie who doesn't want to go bed.

I'd never manage to catch a teeny mouse!

Ferrets look so sweet, I Love their little vampire teeth.
I don't think I've ever met one though, although a few people have said Hamish looks like a ferret, bless him.

wolfheart · 09-17-2008, 03:42 PM

I found out today that my nephew has asked if he can have a pet rat,him and his sisters live with my mum and dad,they told him that there was no way he could have one,they dealt with to many little beasts like rats,mice,ferrets,gerbils,and g pigs from when me and my brothers were younger!.
I cant really blame them,we did take over the house with little critters and other animals.