Rats play with each other?

[Danounet]

Hey there!

I have 3 feeders albino/norway rats in a 10g. They happen to be all 3 female. They are about small size. For the most part they sleep and eat and walk around now and then. Some times when they are active they "play" around with each other, I'm not sure how to describe it. Like they are fighting but not really, at least it doesn't look like it yet. They will do it for a few seconds then stop, sometimes even lick each other and stuff.

I'm just wondering is this normal?

Thanks!

[tjm]

Yes its all normal.

[wolfy-hound]

Rats are wonderful little animals and like most animals they do engage in play behaviors. Most mammals do, especially young ones. I used to watch my rats playing for hours. Give them a few toys and they'll steal them from each other, hide them, play keep away, it's adorable.

[Danounet]

I kinda figured, they kinda remind me of a puppy playing with an older dog. Had that situation in my family many times.

I just wanted to be sure it wasnt a negative behavior and would end up hurting each other sooner or later.

[PyramidPythons]

Yeah, perfectly normal, especially for younger ratties. My favorite, though, is when they can con an adult into playing as well, it's actually really hilarious.

[Danounet]

Yeah, perfectly normal, especially for younger ratties. My favorite, though, is when they can con an adult into playing as well, it's actually really hilarious.

I bet that's funny lol...

But these are pet store rats, last time I had a feeder in the tank it started trashing around one morning and then it dropped dead. It was very disturbing... . I was just trying to keep it alive until feeding day next week.

[4theSNAKElady]

I always gave my pet rats toys. It is soooo entertaining to watch them play! I used to watch them for hours too, like wolfy.

[Danounet]

I gave them one of those small raw hide chew "bone" for dogs. They play Tug-of-war with it lol.

[het.pied]

its like they rassle!!!!