Keeping a Pet Rodent?

[aldebono]

My pet rats are kept right next to my snake rack, they can and do walk across the top of their cage to the snake rack. The feeder rats are brought in on cold night to be kept, again, right in front of the snake rack, literally touching. I don't notice a huge difference in feeding response with the rats there or absent from the house. I do make sure to wash my hands, maybe not as diligently as with the balls, but my king snake and my Hog Island, because it is very likely they would mistake you for food if you even in the best conditions.

My rats are absolutely a joy. I have had males and females as pets and in my experience/opinion, females scent mark a lot less. You may still get a love dribble on you, but it's always on my skin and never on anything fabric they are on while enjoying out time. Rats LOVE to be cuddled, kissed, played with, etc. I would not trade my girls for the world.

Good luck on your decision!

[Kittycatpenut]

I'd recommend a rat over a mouse for the smell and because they are more friendly. Personally I would go with the crestie, just because I really like cresties.

[DooLittle]

IMO rats are better pets than mice. Friendly, funny, smell less. I have rodents in the same room as my balls, no problems. Like another user said, just make sure to always wash your hands after handling anything to do with the rat before you do anything with your snake. Also, what about a leopard gecko? They are super cute!

[angllady2]

I will also advocate a pet rat over a pet mouse. Female mice don't smell nearly as bad as males do. But, mice are small and they are fast. They won't ever be the cuddly, squashy, loveable bundle of fuzz a rat is.

Now, you can keep a single rat, as long as it has plenty of toys and time each day with you. My daughter had a male rat named Remmy, and he was just fine by himself. She got him out each morning before school, every afternoon after school, and for some schmoozing before bedtime. I had no idea before she got him that rats could be so lovable. He cuddled and licked and gave kisses. He'd beg for treats and hide if he was naughty. She had him for 3 wonderful years, and still has his son and granddaughter today.

Gale

[Klogue1]

I have two pet rats, a regular furry rat (huge!! Haha) and a juvenile hairless rat, and a hamster. All are kept in the same room as my reptiles and I have never had a problem.

[Klogue1]

Also, so you know, I personally hate mice. They are cute but stink terribly. Rats are just better in cleanliness and social interaction, in my opinion. They WILL bond with you unlike mice, but others may say different.

[JellinMellon]

I have 3 female mice pretty close to my female BP and have had no issue, as long as you're gentle with them they are fine. Never had any of my girls be mean toward me, but one does squeak if I move to fast or grab her unexpectedly due to a..incident with an inexperienced friend...

They are really great pets just don't under estimate them and their ability to quietly get away Also my girls don't stink unless I neglect their cage, the boys are the stinky ones.
But if you do get a female you have to get a pair, and I think they do bond.
My first girl lost her friend and I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to accidentally kill another mouse so for a month she had no friend and would escape to come find me in the house and even crawled into bed with me at night (she is an amazing escape artist and you can't keep her in unless she has food and a friend in the cage with her). Even with two other girls she seems attached to me.
I love my girls, but I love rats too so it just depends on space and personal preference.
And neither the mice nor the snake seemed affected by being close together.

[babyknees]

Get a rat, not a mouse. Rats are so much more intelligent and interactive. I adore all my rats and they make the most fantastic pets. I personally keep my rats and snakes in different rooms but I've seen plenty of people on her that keep them in the same room with no problems.

[Kamille Kirkendoll]

You have all already convinced me a rat is the way to go! I had no idea mice smelled worse, were more hostile, etc. It's good to know!

If I do decide to get rats (it's more an issue of whether my mom will allow my cat, Mouse, to stay in her bedroom, due to the fact that Mouse would harm the ratties), I'll for sure be getting a pair. I understand some do successfully keep one, but they are social animals, and I think it would be better, overall, to get a pair.

The only question I've been having problems with is male or female? I've decided on male (generally more calmer than females), but they do have a heavier scent due to territory marking (yes, I know, neutering them would fix that), but finding a good rat vet may be difficult.

Thanks again to all!

[satomi325]

You have all already convinced me a rat is the way to go! I had no idea mice smelled worse, were more hostile, etc. It's good to know!

If I do decide to get rats (it's more an issue of whether my mom will allow my cat, Mouse, to stay in her bedroom, due to the fact that Mouse would harm the ratties), I'll for sure be getting a pair. I understand some do successfully keep one, but they are social animals, and I think it would be better, overall, to get a pair.

The only question I've been having problems with is male or female? I've decided on male (generally more calmer than females), but they do have a heavier scent due to territory marking (yes, I know, neutering them would fix that), but finding a good rat vet may be difficult.

Thanks again to all!

My males have a strong odor compared to my girls. It's not bad, just musky. The girls just smell like their bedding, aspen.. They're really clean animals so as long as you clean their cage weekly or litter train them, they'll have little to no smell. And I think both genders are equally active as yearlings. The males start getting lazy after that. And by lazy I mean, they'll be content with just sitting on your lap. However, girls are always going to be active and explore. I personally enjoy playing with my girls compared to the boys. They're silly little things. I'm sure everybody's rats are different. You're going to have active males and laid back females out there too.

I suggest finding a breeder or rat rescue. They know their rats best and will properly pair you with the most compatible. Rescues may have neutered boys, so you can have a mixed pair if you really want to.