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paula !3GqYIJ3Obs
First off, I want to thank the various rat owners of /an/ who have gladly shared their knowledge of these fantastic little guys. After lurking /an/ for months, following rat threads and occasionally popping up with my own, as well as doing my own research, I finally bought my girls.

The light brown and white one is Pepper, the little black and white one is Squeak (short for Pipsqueak - my boyfriend named her). Pepper is incredibly hyper, but doesn't seem to like being picked up and held, and she only reluctantly comes to us; when we hold her, she constantly tries to back out of our hands. Squeak is a little bit more mellow, and tiny compared to Pepper. She's a bit smarter, and is more willing to come to our hands and out of the cage.

How should I acclimate them to being held? Really Squeak isn't that bad, but Pepper is very edgy. I know the fact that they're in new surroundings could be factoring in, but once they settle I was wondering if there was any particular tactic that worked best. I'm also trying to get them to learn their names.

Thanks all. <3
>> paula !3GqYIJ3Obs
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Oh, and here is their cage. I think it may be big enough to add another rat or two. They absolutely love the hammock, but I'm afraid they'll chew the ramps to pieces.
>> Anonymous
Picking them up often worked for me, just get them used to it.

Also, 60 get.
>> Bacon.Trap
I had a rat called Spot when I was younger, was about two foot long.

They will get used to their surrounds to the point you can just open the cage and they will go about their little lives.

Just takes a little time.
>> Anonymous
The girls tend to be more hyper than the boys. Just carry them around with you, hold them for a while. Put them on the bed with you and chill with them for a while. They will get used to you fairly quickly, but they may not ever be snuggley.
>> paula !3GqYIJ3Obs
>>326987
It's fine if they don't have the patience to cuddle, I just want them to be more comfortable with me reaching in and snagging them and holding them. I'll try letting them run around on my bed with me once they wake up.
>> That Gomez
>>326961
A 2 foot rat? Sorry to tell, but I think your rat was a rat terrier.
>> acclimatisation si
you should get both rats out and have them play together on you, make sure they don't get away onto the floor as this makes the exercise pointless, putting them down your shirt is good too as they like dark warm places and it gets them used to your company, do this for about an hour a day for about 6 weeks, that should do it. Had a similar problem with my thomas, his brother sydney was brave and cleaver but thomas didn't want to come out, the shirt thing for 6 weeks worked a treat.

Btw i haven't uploaded a pic of syd and tom because i can't find my camera cable, damn thing
>> paula !3GqYIJ3Obs
>>327054
Thanks. I did have them out on the bed last night, Pepper was climbing around my shoulders for a half hour and chattering away, she even started trying to groom my hair.

Well, got through the night with them. They've shifted ALL of their bedding to one half of the cage for some reason, and Pepper's been gnawing on their igloo and the ramps. I don't mind the igloo, as I can just buy another one, but I'd really like them to cut it out with the ramps because I'm afraid I won't be able to get any new ones. Is there really any way I can discourage them from gnawing on the ramps permanently or is it hit and miss? I've got toilet paper rolls, ripped up cardboard, and some chew toys in there, but Pepper still goes for the plastic sometimes.

Also, about how much should I feed them a day? They've got a shallow ceramic dish, and I filled it up about halfway yesterday to see what they'd do, and it doesn't seem like they ate much of it (although I know they did eat, I watched them). Should I just cover the bottom of the bowl and that be enough? The food is Reggie Rat.
>> Anonymous
>>326953
they don't mind being handled and are probably used to it by now, but are very young and as such get a little hyper and will run around your entire house exploring.
When they get older they calm down and you will find most of the time they will want to sit on you, follow you around and play with you rather than run all over the place

enjoy your rats, they are awesome pets