I bought my first rat!!!

Okay so I let free the field mouse and I bought what Jack's aquarium and pets calls a small rat. I asked the guys how old he thought she was he sad a few weeks but I don't know if I can believe him considering that he couldn't even tell a boy from a girl and I could tell that Ev-ey was a girl. lol

anyways I drilled holes in a 41qt serilite tub. I wanted to make sure the setup was okay. So heres what I got:

*41qt (latched) sterilite tub with holes drilled in
* carefresh substrate
* water bottle
*food bowl with store bought food till I gather all the food in the recipe found on here
* A hide thing (I'm think I might take that out.)

I know pictures will help so here:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ts/ev-ey02.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../ratcage02.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2.../ratcage01.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ts/ev-ey01.jpg


I want to go back and get another rat today because I know they get lonely. So should I get a male or female? I might get a male off my friend in a couple of weeks when it gets weened (just a thought) so any thoughts or restictions?

No suggestions? Cuz I was thinking about getting a male in case my friend decides on keeping the male rat.

Is a 41 qt to sm for two rats?

I just had my rats escape from a storage box like that. They chewed a hole in the side and went running off. Just something to think about. Good luck with her and hope you can get some litte ratties from her!!!

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I just had my rats escape from a storage box like that. They chewed a hole in the side and went running off. Just something to think about. Good luck with her and hope you can get some litte ratties from her!!!

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Thats not good. I'll have to watch her because I hate cleaning out tanks. They are so heavy...ugh.

Cute little rat. :)


The question about whether to get a male rat or not depends entirely on if you want them to make babies or not. If you just want a companion, make sure they are the same sex. If you want babies...well....you know... :P

I just realized the male escaped yesterday and I had to tear into the work bench to get to him. I got them situated in a tank now. The tub worked for like 3 weeks before this.

I haven't kept/bred rats yet, but going from my mouse experience. The holes in the side will actually give them a starting place to chew. I keep my mice in 12 qt sterilite tubs with a screen top in a rack with food and water coming through the screen. Haven't had a chew through in about 1 1/2 years now.

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Originally Posted by denowt

I haven't kept/bred rats yet, but going from my mouse experience. The holes in the side will actually give them a starting place to chew. I keep my mice in 12 qt sterilite tubs with a screen top in a rack with food and water coming through the screen. Haven't had a chew through in about 1 1/2 years now.

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picture of setup? My rats will chew straight through the side of one of those even if it is smooth :P crazy rats

I'll get a pic of teh old tub when i have a chance. They chwed through on a pretty much smooth area of the tub.

OK, coming from an ex-petstore employee. that is a small rat. All rats get fairly large.:rat: So she is a young one. She looks young. Yes, that rat can chew through your setup very easily.:mouse2: So if you are posting this message on a feeder forum, I am assuming you want to make more rats right? I would get a male then, so you can make cute little snake food. :snake:


Have fun, rats are pretty fun...too bad I am allergic to them.:(

oh sorry I got smiley happy...never seen so many smileys!:eyepoppin