I bought my first rat!!!

[Miss_Ann_Thrope]

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:










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?

[Miss_Ann_Thrope]

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?

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

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!!!

[Miss_Ann_Thrope]

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!!!

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

[JLC]

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...

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

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.

[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.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

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.

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

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

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.

[Wolfsnaps]

OK, coming from an ex-petstore employee. that is a small rat. All rats get fairly large. So she is a young one. She looks young. Yes, that rat can chew through your setup very easily. 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.


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

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