Pet Rat Behavior
Temperament
I have heard pet rats described in numerous ways; but my most favorite--and possibly most accurate--description comes from my partner, who, upon meeting my rats for the first time, referred to them as, "tiny dogs with human hands." Typically weighing less than a single pound, possessing intelligence said to be comparable to that of a 2-3 year old human, as well as being equally sociable with humans as with other rats; I can't think of a more apt description. Rats are said to be just as intelligent as dogs, as hygienic as cats, and as sociable and energetic as our fellow primates.
Activity
Pet rats are some of the quietest small animals to keep as companions. They may be heard squeaking during play-fights or wrestling, but the noises you will hear most often are the clicking of their water bottle, or the spinning of their exercise wheel.
Crepuscular animals, rats are typically inactive during the day, and most active during the evening and early morning hours. However, they can adapt to their rat parents' schedule, and be trained to be more active during the day, around the time they taken out for playtime.
Most rats are very active, energetic and playful until around 8-10 months of age. Around this time, male rats may slow down and become more lazy and docile, while female rats may behave more maturely but still possess the playfulness and curiosity of a young rat.
Socialization
Norway Rats are highly social animals, living in large family groups, aptly named "mischiefs" of up to 20 or more rats. Their social behavior can reflect that of a human's; in that they enjoy cuddling, sharing, and even holding conversation! Pet rats love to play-fight, squabble, or wrestle; whichever you prefer to call it! They can often be observed tackling one another, "boxing," and "playing tag." These behaviors mimmic that of wild rats in dominance or territorial battles, however they are usually just for fun.
Believe it or not, rats do talk to each other, although the frequency of their typical vocalizations can be within the ultrasonic range; much too high-pitched for human ears to detect. They use these vocalizations to communicate with their cage mates in a very similar way humans use language. It is possible that an established group of rats may even vocalize with one another in their own distinct language.
Bruxing & Boggling
Another way rats communicate is by grinding or "chattering" their teeth, known as bruxing. Similar to a cat purring, rats usually brux when they are happy, content, or comfortable. Sometimes, when a rat is especially happy, she will brux so hard that it causes her eyes to "pop" in and out due to the movement of her facial muscles. This eye bulging is referred to as "boggling." Pet rats who have a strong bond with their rat parents will brux and boggle when being stroked or when relaxing on atop their shoulder. This is a rat telling their rat parent, "I love you, you make me happy!"
Rats sometimes brux when they are uncomfortable or dissatisfied, in order to tell another rat to go away, or to calm themselves down. (Cats also sometimes purr in order to reduce anxiety.) These bruxes are often louder, and are accompanied by puffy fur, arched back, and a swinging tail, rather than boggles.
Hoarding
Hoarding is another common behavior among rats. They will often hoard their food, favorite snacks, and even toys under piles of nesting material, in a hideaway, or in their litter box. Doing this "protects" their most valued items from other rats or predators (in the case of pet rats: imaginary predators) by hiding its scent underneath their own. For example, a rat may stuff their favorite jingle ball under a pile of urine-soaked nesting material in order to ward off other rats and prevent the ball from being stolen. Most commonly, however, food is hoarded more than anything else. Pet rats can often be observed taking their food out of their food bowl, running off with it, hiding it somewhere, and coming back for more. You may even find their "stash" while cleaning their cage! This behavior is normal and stimulating, and should not be discouraged.
Nesting
Rats are burrowing animals and love to make nests out of shredded paper, fleece scraps, pieces of cardboard, and many other things. Pet rats will stuff anything they turn into nesting material in their favorite places to hide or hoard. Pet rats and wild rats alike have both been observed stuffing materials into hiding spots and then pushing some of it out, covering the entrance of their hideaway. Wild rats do this with leaves, sticks, and garbage in order to camouflage the entrance of their living space. Although stuffing fluffy white paper into a bright blue plastic igloo isn't exactly camouflage, pet rats still display this behavior through instinct.
Hiding
Needless to say, rats are prey animals. Although they can be predators to some species of small birds, lizards, bugs, and smaller rodents, rats are a very common main course for many different predators. In order to survive, rats must be on their toes at all times, and thus instinctually love to hide and be completely unseen. Rats will hide inside tunnels, igloos, cardboard boxes, baskets, hammocks, and even underneath their bedding. A rat's favorite place to sleep and/or hide is very high above the ground. This way, the rat feels as though she is out of reach from predators who cannot climb, or at least above nose-level to most predators. Pet rats should always be provided plenty of places to hide and be completely unseen.
Climbing
Although Rattus Norvegicus are considered to be burrowing animals, they are great climbers. Rats love to be high-up in order to feel out-of-reach from non-climbing predators. Pet rats should be provided with stimulating climbing toys and accessories such as ropes and ladders, as well as high-up places to sleep such as hammocks and Space Pods.
I have heard pet rats described in numerous ways; but my most favorite--and possibly most accurate--description comes from my partner, who, upon meeting my rats for the first time, referred to them as, "tiny dogs with human hands." Typically weighing less than a single pound, possessing intelligence said to be comparable to that of a 2-3 year old human, as well as being equally sociable with humans as with other rats; I can't think of a more apt description. Rats are said to be just as intelligent as dogs, as hygienic as cats, and as sociable and energetic as our fellow primates.
Activity
Pet rats are some of the quietest small animals to keep as companions. They may be heard squeaking during play-fights or wrestling, but the noises you will hear most often are the clicking of their water bottle, or the spinning of their exercise wheel.
Crepuscular animals, rats are typically inactive during the day, and most active during the evening and early morning hours. However, they can adapt to their rat parents' schedule, and be trained to be more active during the day, around the time they taken out for playtime.
Most rats are very active, energetic and playful until around 8-10 months of age. Around this time, male rats may slow down and become more lazy and docile, while female rats may behave more maturely but still possess the playfulness and curiosity of a young rat.
Socialization
Norway Rats are highly social animals, living in large family groups, aptly named "mischiefs" of up to 20 or more rats. Their social behavior can reflect that of a human's; in that they enjoy cuddling, sharing, and even holding conversation! Pet rats love to play-fight, squabble, or wrestle; whichever you prefer to call it! They can often be observed tackling one another, "boxing," and "playing tag." These behaviors mimmic that of wild rats in dominance or territorial battles, however they are usually just for fun.
Believe it or not, rats do talk to each other, although the frequency of their typical vocalizations can be within the ultrasonic range; much too high-pitched for human ears to detect. They use these vocalizations to communicate with their cage mates in a very similar way humans use language. It is possible that an established group of rats may even vocalize with one another in their own distinct language.
Bruxing & Boggling
Another way rats communicate is by grinding or "chattering" their teeth, known as bruxing. Similar to a cat purring, rats usually brux when they are happy, content, or comfortable. Sometimes, when a rat is especially happy, she will brux so hard that it causes her eyes to "pop" in and out due to the movement of her facial muscles. This eye bulging is referred to as "boggling." Pet rats who have a strong bond with their rat parents will brux and boggle when being stroked or when relaxing on atop their shoulder. This is a rat telling their rat parent, "I love you, you make me happy!"
Rats sometimes brux when they are uncomfortable or dissatisfied, in order to tell another rat to go away, or to calm themselves down. (Cats also sometimes purr in order to reduce anxiety.) These bruxes are often louder, and are accompanied by puffy fur, arched back, and a swinging tail, rather than boggles.
Hoarding
Hoarding is another common behavior among rats. They will often hoard their food, favorite snacks, and even toys under piles of nesting material, in a hideaway, or in their litter box. Doing this "protects" their most valued items from other rats or predators (in the case of pet rats: imaginary predators) by hiding its scent underneath their own. For example, a rat may stuff their favorite jingle ball under a pile of urine-soaked nesting material in order to ward off other rats and prevent the ball from being stolen. Most commonly, however, food is hoarded more than anything else. Pet rats can often be observed taking their food out of their food bowl, running off with it, hiding it somewhere, and coming back for more. You may even find their "stash" while cleaning their cage! This behavior is normal and stimulating, and should not be discouraged.
Nesting
Rats are burrowing animals and love to make nests out of shredded paper, fleece scraps, pieces of cardboard, and many other things. Pet rats will stuff anything they turn into nesting material in their favorite places to hide or hoard. Pet rats and wild rats alike have both been observed stuffing materials into hiding spots and then pushing some of it out, covering the entrance of their hideaway. Wild rats do this with leaves, sticks, and garbage in order to camouflage the entrance of their living space. Although stuffing fluffy white paper into a bright blue plastic igloo isn't exactly camouflage, pet rats still display this behavior through instinct.
Hiding
Needless to say, rats are prey animals. Although they can be predators to some species of small birds, lizards, bugs, and smaller rodents, rats are a very common main course for many different predators. In order to survive, rats must be on their toes at all times, and thus instinctually love to hide and be completely unseen. Rats will hide inside tunnels, igloos, cardboard boxes, baskets, hammocks, and even underneath their bedding. A rat's favorite place to sleep and/or hide is very high above the ground. This way, the rat feels as though she is out of reach from predators who cannot climb, or at least above nose-level to most predators. Pet rats should always be provided plenty of places to hide and be completely unseen.
Climbing
Although Rattus Norvegicus are considered to be burrowing animals, they are great climbers. Rats love to be high-up in order to feel out-of-reach from non-climbing predators. Pet rats should be provided with stimulating climbing toys and accessories such as ropes and ladders, as well as high-up places to sleep such as hammocks and Space Pods.