Alright my favorite rat experts :) only when difficult :) ha

[hopefloats]

LOL that looks about right. Loki does not do it very often, but he has done it two or 3 times now, all with dopey I believe. He might of chased toby out once. I think they want to keep it in the family. I think these babies are related to them, I am almost positive one of each is the dad to the other. Al is shaped, head, no neck just like Templeton is, and ludo has a neck and a slender face like loki. So if that is the case, then the hairless boys are out of luck LOL the babies will take over the reign when they are tired of it

They have hogged the play place today, the girls had 2 hours in it, and the boys have been in there for about 3 hours now...They all went to sleep so I just left them, since they were all sleeping in or near the same corner. Dopey even finally crawled his butt in there to lay by Toby. Having a 2 foot by 2 foot area that is 4 feet tall to climb in is really making them happy rats. I modified it a bit more today so i will post some pictures later

 

[hopefloats]

Dopey climbed in the hidey thing with loki and laid on him. That thing is not big enough for 2 male rats LOL, it was made for our luna (rip) girl because she loved laying under stuff.

that little wrinkle above him in the blue thing, is toby,

 

[jorats]

OMG... that is a heart melting pic!!!

 

[hopefloats]

As you notice, they are quiet! I heard one squeak from dopey, but that was the extent of it. Even in the cage, it is minimal, they are still not buddy buddy or playing, but they are tolerating each other now.

 

[jorats]

Woot!!

 

[hopefloats]

That is totally what i say. I was at a point of pulling it back LOL you talked me into not separating them. I hated it, the fighting the scars the boys have. I do not think that I would of lasted much longer. They spent a majority of the day in the play place, mainly because I can trust them so while I cleaned they played. I think Templeton hasn't owned it yet, so he is better in there, so i have been trying to let them spend extra time. The boys are a pain in my butt, but i hate to say it, i like boys better, Templeton just laid on my stomach for a long time, letting me pet him. They are my relaxing set, my girls are my ones to play with.

 

[jorats]

Now remember, they will continue to have scuffles and change positions... so don't worry, it'll pass.

 

[mamarat]

I love that last pic.

 

[hopefloats]

The boys are a workout. Toby has found he loves to torment the babies, he chases them all over, them squeaking like crazy, he grabs them grooms them and trots off like he did something special. Dopey is still having issues. Templeton still man handles him, but the bites are nothing now a days, they haven't had a new scratch in days, the old ones are healed up with a few scars. They pretty much ignore toby now, loki will let him play with him a bit, but nothing major, they are all still sleeping in pairs, babies with babies, the older haired boys and the hairless. I guess they are happy with the current set up of sleeping arrangments.


Templeton, loki and Toby sharing a drink.

I really want to see the day that they actually sleep with a hairless for a while. Then I will be totally happy. In the cage it just doesn't happen.

 

[jorats]

You'll see it soon enough. The hairless love to sleep with the furries.

 

[hopefloats]

I hope so, it is like 25 degrees here LOL so it is super cold, feels like 10 degrees with the windchill. I would feel better knowing they had some borrowed fur to cuddle up to. They do have a oil heater in between the two cages, the girls caught on, they all sleep right the side it is on. I notice the boys are puffed up when they sleep, i am guessing it is cold is why their fur does it? or hot? I didnt notice it before until now, we just started getting the cold weather.

 

[jorats]

If the rats are puffing up, that's usually a sign of stress and a change in temperature can do it.

 

[hopefloats]

they are sleeping when they do it, It like a little dust buster sitting in there. Templeton lol now he does it everytime dopey comes around I just picture him thinking look how big i am, because he is huge when he does it.

 

[hopefloats]

Boys are still kinda at it. Dopey is still kinda scared, Templeton still huffs up at them. He is starting to remind me of the big bad wolf who huffed and puffed, yup that is templeton . He doesn't bite it is just verbal now. they seem to still stay away from each other. It just annoys me that those 3 are the only problem ones, more templeton and dopey, toby is usually ok, he gets it on occasion but not as much.

 

[jorats]

That might last for a while yet but I wouldn't much about it.

 

[hopefloats]

that amazes me lol you would think they would give up already since templeton is the only one biting. and the others are just scared lol

I do think the babies must be coming into age or something, they seem to be getting put in line a little more than they used to by both Loki and Templeton. I they are just over 3 months old now. they tend to freeze up like the others but nothing more than a flip and a little grooming with them, no marks.

 

[jorats]

Uh oh... if they are coming of age, you'll have more fun on your hands soon enough... lol

I just re-read my other post... and I seem to have skipped a word. lol So that was suppose to be I wouldn't worry much about it.

 

[hopefloats]

I knew what you meant even with it gone.

And I was kinda afraid of that, but the bruiser brothers seem to control them LOL

 

[jorats]

That's really good that you've got a good alpha and beta working together. They know what to do to keep the peace. I bet the babies will respect that.

 

[hopefloats]

I hope so lol I cannot handle have 3 sets of rats that don't get along! especially after two sets did lol. It has been a month since I started with scent, and now I am looking for a few more weeks i guess of Templeton playing hall monitor. I am glad the worse part is over, least i know his bites are slaps now and not so much biting. I don't have to worry as much about major injuries. I just really, really want to see them getting along. I guess it will make it that much more sweet when they finally do.