growing aggression and fighting

[eriin]

so recently i've been thinking that i think my rats are starting to hate each other. k not so much both of them just jar-jar hating iggy. i do consider them bonded and they have been living together since like september. iggy is a month or two younger so i always though it was just because she's younger more play and jar-jar is just the older more mature one and when she got annoyed she would put iggy in her place just by pinning her down or whatever hardly any noise. BUT NOW they have screaming fits at each other and a big cuffufle and it even happens outside of the cage. there's no bleeding or any cuts that i have seen, but i feel like it might escalate to that.. :S they still sleep together but even then it might turn into an issue. and they've never fought over food i always put in a big enough bowel with plenty more then they can eat and there is usually a screaming match.
and when i say screaming match its not just a squeak.. it actually sounds like one of their hand is being cut off. it wakes me up almost every night. but as quickly as it starts it ends, like if they see me move or i clap (which is my sound for 'no') or hear my voice. it's like whatever iggy is doing or doing to her, i don't know, jar-jar just hates it and snaps almost. i fear they are growing incompatible is that possible?

also, another question. i know babys are always running around crawling underneath each other or the older rats etc. but this was kind of weird to me as long as they've been together jar-jar has never really wanted to play with iggy AT ALL and really never has. she's more interested in and to be honest i think she was meant to be a lone rat hahaha. she is very different that any rat i've ever had or even came across. but i still want her to have a friend for when i'm not there. anywayyys iggy still follows her around and chases her but she doesnt try to play anymore she's always trying to get to her butt/vaginal area to sniff it and to lick it. she always trys to lick it. it's kinda weird to me and its constant. and no matter how many times jar-jar turns and pins her down and makes her squeak she still does it, even as they're running.

is this normal, if not how can i get it to stop because i can just tell how annoyed jar-jar is and i know she doesnt want to hurt iggy. and then these fits are starting to happen as well...

 

[jorats]

How old are they now, in particular iggy?

 

[eriin]

i got iggy beginning of september, like the 7th or something and i assume she was just weaned. so around 5 and a half months not including the 5/6 weaning weeks. i got jar-jar early to mid august so not including her weaning weeks before i got her i've had her for about 6 months. they're only a month or so apart

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Sounds to me like Iggy is right around the age where she is feeling comfortable enough to challenge Jar-Jar for the alpha role. As long as there's not blood you pretty much have to leave them to work it out. Most times it sounds worse than it is since rats can be pretty vocal.

 

[jorats]

I agree with smilesz. Iggy is being a brat. She's right at the age for becoming mature and hormonal as well. Her smelling and licking Jar Jar is an indication of this. But it could also indicate that Jar Jar is not feeling well.
When my rats become grumpy I usually take that as a sign to treat for mites. Mites/lice outbreak can cause rats to become really uncomfortable and be mean to each other.

 

[eriin]

as a matter of fact i just treated for mite a day or two ago, so maybe that will help. i keep looking jarjar over but i cant find anything physically wrong with her.. maybe it's time for a check up though.
i've never seen a rat challenge for dominance like this. but if she is... hahahaha good luck to her, she's gunna need it because its pretty clears will is and will remain the dominant one. :giggle: