Alpha questions

[MissGuardian]

I´m just wondering how do I know if there´s a change in alpha role? And when does it usually happen?(age?).
Balder just turned 6 months(yesterday), Nirvana is getting closer to 18 months.
I know she is/used to be alpha.
But I´ve seen Balder flipping her more on her back lately, and they have been chasing each other and arguing a bit(not directly fighting - no squeaking, but.. What can I say? Mild ratballing?) today.
They usually don´t play a lot with eachother, so I´m wondering what this is, if anything?

ETA:
When Nirvana became alpha, it was more like "here! You be the alpha, ´cause I don´t want to be!"..
Think she became alpha almost as soon as she stepped in the door :giggle:

 

[jorats]

Are they both females and is it just the two of them?

 

[MissGuardian]

Are they both females and is it just the two of them?

Nirvana are the only female. She's spayed. Stefan is a neutered male, but he's never been much interested in being alpha. And balder is n intact male. Ages is in my signature.

 

[jorats]

Ah, ok, he's coming into his own and he will probably take over at some point but he's still young. Right now, I'm sure he's more into playing and playing hard. Males don't usually challenge females, not that I've seen. But he definitely wants to see if he can have some action with Nirvana.

 

[MissGuardian]

Ah, ok, he's coming into his own and he will probably take over at some point but he's still young. Right now, I'm sure he's more into playing and playing hard. Males don't usually challenge females, not that I've seen. But he definitely wants to see if he can have some action with Nirvana.

Thank you for the answer.
They have always been arguing(not really sure why, but Nirvana had issues from day 1 with him.. But I´ve been told she can get bitchy due to the spay? + he was the first younger male she met.. Stefan was insecure with him to - probably due to Nirvana´s insecurity).
I´m not conserned tho, since they didn´t appear puffy, and there were no squeaking and stuff.. More like curious..

How do I know if it´s a change in leader, and not just play? Just so I´ll be more prepared to tell them apart later
As I said, when Nirvana took over, there wasn´t even a tiny scuffle that I saw.. They just gave it to her..

 

[jorats]

I assume it will be much the same way, a quiet take over, if Balder is a good alpha.
I've never heard of a female become bitchy after a spay. But it's possible that the spay changed her. I usually see a change for the better with a spay or no change at all.
I'm guessing that both Stefan and Nirvana were not fond of little Balder because he had his annoying youngish ways.
The thing to watch for is bullying.

 

[MissGuardian]

I assume it will be much the same way, a quiet take over, if Balder is a good alpha.
I've never heard of a female become bitchy after a spay. But it's possible that the spay changed her. I usually see a change for the better with a spay or no change at all.
I'm guessing that both Stefan and Nirvana were not fond of little Balder because he had his annoying youngish ways.
The thing to watch for is bullying.

I don´t recall who said it, but I have heard it. She´s not mean to them tho, She just keep them strictly in line :giggle:
There have only been one minor bite, and that looked like an accident(what do you say? he zigged when he should have zagged or something?). Other than that it hasn´t been anything but grooming and a few chases.. They sleep together pretty much always.
Yeah I think so too.. I´ve never had a rat that small or young before.. It seems like they only get younger.. My first were three months, then two months and balder at 5-6 weeks :giggle: