girls don't want to come out to play?

[Petunia]

the last couple of nights, I've opened the cage up for my girls to come out to play, something we do at least once a day, sometimes twice.

Usually they all come out and play for about an hour or so, and then decide it's nap time.

The last two nights I've opened up the cage, only one of my girls has come out, the other three stayed in the cage!

They were up and playing *in* the cage, not sleeping. I took each one out but they all ran back into the cage.

I am confused. Why would they not want to come out to play?

They are in a double CN- and they have a whole room to play in. Only Paige comes out and runs around (and does NOT want to go back in the cage at the end of playtime :lol: )

but the other three are staying inside.

why would they do this?

The only other change is that the windows have been opened during the day because it's been unusually warm outside.

Do you think they are scared ??or overwhelmed ?? by the smells??

 

[mamarat]

How old are your girls?

 

[Petunia]

Cookie and Hope are about 16-17 mos old, Paige is about 7 mos and Evie is about 5 mos old.

 

[mamarat]

I know some rats seem to become "scared" at around 5 months but they grow out of it.

 

[jorats]

Some rats have "off" days. I wouldn't worry about unless it becomes regular.

 

[tinytippytoes]

I had a girl who did that too. I always felt she was comfy in her "bedroom" and she wanted some alone time. It was never a problem with me.

 

[odduckOasis]

I'm glad someone asked this. Cuz I recently have had that issue when I moved my boys in together. The older one seems more interested in sleeping while the younger one will just be playful for a few minutes and then go cuddle with his buddy. I'm like 8( but as long as it's not regular, I suppose there's nothing to worry about. =3

Also, if it's too warm they could be getting a little hot, you can try and giving them like a container of ice cubes to cool off, maybe that'll lure them out? Or frozen peas (or corn) in water, that can cool them off too and be fun at the same time fishing for the peas sunk at the bottom of the cool water. xD;

 

[RatsForever]

I've noticed the same behaviour with my elder rats. I think they are just glad to have some quiet time when the young ones are outside the cage causing trouble.

 

[temblabamomo]

If my daily schedule changes and I open up the cage earlier or later than usual, it doesn't seem to fit the boys' sleep schedules and they won't budge. There was also a lot of hesitance when I recently started leaving windows open last month, but they got over that in a few days and were soon very eager to figure out how to access the window sill and smell new smells. Once in a while they do have one of those days when even at their normal time, they aren't interested in venturing out. I just leave them be and let the other group out for their playtime.