Humping, and when do you know when it's getting serious?

[evantide]

My biggest concern with having intact males is how to determine when the fighting is getting serious. Even the littlest thing between them worries me! Does anyone have pictures or videos or other resources to try to help me understand when a rat is actually being aggressive? My two boys scuffle a bit once in awhile. When they are out of their cage, Eli will suddenly eyeball Quinn from across the room and run over to him and push him over onto his back. It always scares me because Quinn starts squeaking and I don't know if he's just arguing, or crying out in pain (its hard to see so I never know if Eli is biting him).

Also, I would like to hear some stories about introducing rats when the new rat just wants to hump the other rats (who want nothing to do with him). I had this question at work today. The family had adopted a new rat. I talked to them about quarantining the new rat (not from my store, we are only supplies) before introducing, and to introduce in a process - starting in a neutral area (recommended bath tub with a towel at hand). They said they had already tried to introduce them in a separate room, and the newer rat (who they think is also older than the other three rats) just wanted to pursue and hump the other rats who squeaked and tried to push him away. I had never had that issue when introducing my two boys together, and they said their rats never humped either until they got this new one that they are trying to intro.

 

[jorats]

The only time you need to intervene is if a rat is getting cut up. Like we always say, no blood, no foul.
You can check out my most recent YouTube videos. I'm documenting my intros.