I know we shouldn't have favorites, but..

I've mentioned several times all over this forum that I keep pet rats and thought I would post a picture of my favorite. This little guy was declared 'unsellable' by the petstore, but he was available for adoption. He was covered in sores and had almost no hair, despite the symptoms being a textbook case of mites, the in-store vet decided it was just him overgrooming himself. I took him home, treated for mites and shockingly the sores went away and most of his hair grew back. He usually spends several hours a day riding around the house on my shoulder, is litterbox trained, comes to his name and knows a few tricks. I wish more people would consider what fun little pets rats make.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...2000/scab1.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...2000/scab2.jpg

you have something on your face

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

you have something on your face

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hahaha you had me laughing there....good one.....hahaha

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Originally Posted by cobweb2000

I've mentioned several times all over this forum that I keep pet rats and thought I would post a picture of my favorite. This little guy was declared 'unsellable' by the petstore, but he was available for adoption. He was covered in sores and had almost no hair, despite the symptoms being a textbook case of mites, the in-store vet decided it was just him overgrooming himself. I took him home, treated for mites and shockingly the sores went away and most of his hair grew back. He usually spends several hours a day riding around the house on my shoulder, is litterbox trained, comes to his name and knows a few tricks. I wish more people would consider what fun little pets rats make.

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He's a cutie! My favorite rat passed away a few months ago. He also knew his name and was litter box trained, he didn't know tricks though. He was too independent minded to learn tricks.

He was an awesome rat. :( I miss the guy.

!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

I've never seen a rat anywhere near that HUGE!! What are you feeding him???

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Originally Posted by dizzy

!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

I've never seen a rat anywhere near that HUGE!! What are you feeding him???

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LOL! :rofl: Do you raise em? They can get big. :P

He's gorgeous, what's his name? Are those ruby eyes?

I've often been tempted to keep a few of the ones I've bred as pets, especially now that I have a huge crop of dumbos.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

He's gorgeous, what's his name? Are those ruby eyes?

I've often been tempted to keep a few of the ones I've bred as pets, especially now that I have a huge crop of dumbos.

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Dumbo's are so adorable. :D I have too many pet only rats!!!

So what breed of dog is that? lawl

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Originally Posted by dizzy

!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

I've never seen a rat anywhere near that HUGE!! What are you feeding him???

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Heh, he's not even my largest one. I feed them all a base of HT2018, a customized grain mix, daily fresh veggies and left overs from whatever the humans are eating. Size is partially genetic, but I also think that if they are given ample opportunity to climb and run, that they build muscle and will get a little larger. This is why I get upset when I see people keeping rats in tubs that are 7" high, a large adult can barely stand up in that tub much less strech up on thier back legs.

The rat pictured is named Scabbers and he is a top eared, ruby eyed blue with a very poor rex coat.

Holy gosh, would not want to deal with him when he is angry...:taz:
My two guys are not half his size and they are two years old now...:O
And funky sunglasses you are wearing, a little bit big, but....:D

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Originally Posted by cobweb2000

This is why I get upset when I see people keeping rats in tubs that are 7" high, a large adult can barely stand up in that tub much less strech up on thier back legs.

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I haven't noticed a difference between males kept in a rack as a breeder, or rats allowed cage height their whole lives.

In my colony, it appears to be mostly genetics that determine the rats size, and fat is based on food intake with genetics.

However, they are perfectly capable of stretching their legs and back in a tub much like a cat does when they wake up. I see them do it everyday. :/

He's cute and big:)I added a huge male to our pack just like that one. He's aguti so he looks like a wild one lol! he's a great breeder and so far have had 3 large litters. My females are so tiny! When we first got him the dom female tried to start a fight but he just pushed her away like she was a pesky kid.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I haven't noticed a difference between males kept in a rack as a breeder, or rats allowed cage height their whole lives.

In my colony, it appears to be mostly genetics that determine the rats size, and fat is based on food intake with genetics.

However, they are perfectly capable of stretching their legs and back in a tub much like a cat does when they wake up. I see them do it everyday. :/

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I've read your web site, I know you are one of the good guys and I believe you that your rats can stretch and are comfortable. :)

I'm coming from a pet owner / rescue perspective and I just get a little tired of seeing 5+ adults kept in a cat litter pan along with their bubs (not so much on this forum, but there are a few others where it's awful). I've had rescues that were kept in a 10 gallon aquarium their whole lives and they had such poor muscle tone that during their first opportunity at free range time they couldn't even climb on top of an overturned shoe box. Those same rats are in signifacantly better body condition after a few weeks of living a large cage where they can climb the bars and have room to run more than a few steps in the cage. I know that muscle tone, edurance and agility isn't much of a concern for a feeder animal, but like I said, I'm coming from a pet perspective. :)