Body Language
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Like any social species, rats communicate to each other in a way that is unique to their kind. Domestic rats even communicate to their humans, and as long as we are willing to learn their language, it can be very easy to understand what rats are telling us. In this video, we are going to discuss some of the most common body language our pet rats display, what they mean, and how to cater to their needs according to what they are telling us.
Bruxing & BogglingBruxing is the word for when rats grind or chatter their teeth. They do this in part to wear down their ever-growing incisors, but also to communicate an extreme emotion.
Bruxing sounds like a soft clicking or chattering noise, and it usually means, “I’m happy” or “I love you!” When rats are especially happy, they will boggle along with bruxing. Boggling means the rat is popping her eyes in and out, and this is due to a muscle that goes from her jaw all the way through the back of her eye socket. Sometimes rats will brux when they are uncomfortable or distressed. However, this type of bruxing is usually much louder, and can often be accompanied by self-grooming. This may be the rat’s attempt to comfort herself when she is in an uncomfortable situation. |
Nose HighA curious rat will stick her nose up in the air with her ears forward and let her nose lead the way. She may also walk with her tail high in the air, not touching the ground. This is a rat’s way of trying to get an idea of what’s going on around her, and it’s a good sign that she’s feeling friendly and maybe even playful.
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Swaying
Sometimes, novice rat parents panic when they see their rat swaying their head from side-to-side, assuming it could be an infection or neurological disorder. However, swaying is a perfectly normal behavior and is commonly seen in rats with pink or ruby eyes. Rats do not have the best binocular vision; they see two completely separate images out of each eye. Swaying creates a better 3D image of their surroundings and helps them figure out how far away and how large something is. Basically, she’s doing this for to see you better!
Self-GroomingDepending on the context, a rat may groom herself to display contentment or discomfort. Sometimes, a rat will casually groom herself to say, “Ah, I feel fine. This seems like a good place to take a bath!”
Other times, if a rat is uncomfortable, she may begin to quickly groom around her face and ears; stopping every few seconds to take in her environment. This type of sporadic grooming may be a coping mechanism. This might be the rat’s way of saying, “I’m not comfortable here, but grooming makes me feel better.” |
Allogrooming
Allogrooming is the word for grooming someone else, rather than yourself. Rats groom one another as a sign of companionship and harmony. When your rat grooms you, she is telling you that she accepts you as a member of the family.
Tugging
Similar to allogrooming, a rat may gently tug on your finger or your hair when she is in her cage. This is commonly mistaken aggression and perhaps an attempt to bite you; but if a rat wants to hurt you, she will draw blood. Rather, this is her way of saying, “Come in! I want you to play with me or pet me inside my cage!”
Popcorning
When rats jump up and down sporadically, especially during play, it is called Popcorning. Rats popcorn when they are excited, overjoyed, and feeling playful. It may also be a signal to another rat that a wrestling match isn’t a real fight, it’s just a game; similar to a dog displaying a play-bow.
YawningYawns are obviously associated with sleepiness, but they can also be a signal. A rat who yawns may be trying to tell you that she is not interested in a debate. Displaying her open mouth and stretching may be an attempt to say, “I’m not threatening! In fact, I feel comfortable and I’m not going to fight you. See? Look at my teeth!”
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Monkey-Barring
Monkey-barring is essentially when rats use the top of the cage as monkey bars, climbing upside-down, possibly looking for a way to escape. This can be a sign of stress or boredom. When you see this, your rats may be telling you that they need more fun toys to play with, more free-roam time, or even a larger cage.
Standing to the SideWhen a rat is feeling uneasy in general, perhaps even confused, you will notice that she looks very tense. She will show the blue parts of her eyes, face her ears backwards, and perhaps splay her feet, ready to run. A rat in this position is unsure of her surroundings and is hoping to avoid conflict. Another version of this may be Crab-Walking.
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Crab-Walking
When a rat puffs up his fur, arches his back, and stands to the side, this is his way of saying, “Back off!” Puffed fur is a clear sign of discomfort, and the Crab Walking stance is a signal that he is ready to fight if you get too close. This is often followed by boxing or wrestling; in other words, fighting. This is commonly seen when rats are being introduced to each other for the first time, but rats can sometimes do this to people if they are not well socialized. If you see a rat doing this, you should back off, because he might be warning you he is about to bite.
BoxingThis behavior is typically preceded by a squabble, or even a full-blown fight; depending on the individual rats involved. When rats are “boxing,” they both stand on their hind legs and attempt to keep each other at arm’s length. It’s basically a staring contest. Either someone makes a sudden move and a small fight breaks out, or one of the rats gives up and allows the dominant rat to groom him. Regardless, this isn’t a dangerous behavior, and you should allow your rats to sort out their differences on their own.
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Dead SleepSometimes rats are good at playing pranks on us. You may find your rat sleeping on her side or her back, with her hands and feet completely relaxed, and for a moment this can be frightening, because it looks like she’s dead. But this is a rat’s way of showing how comfortable she is in her environment!
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