Suddenly Aggressive? Help! ):

[Recklie]

So.. I just got my rats about a month ago. Their names are Smoky and Bandit.
They were pretty friendly when I got them, But a little shy.

Since then, we've become closer, and we've been having out-time for about two weeks now, since they warmed up to me.

But all of a sudden, I woke up this morning, and Bandit was picking on Smoky! She wasn't letting her out of the orange box they use as their home. I thought, "'s just rats being rats. :3" And so I left them.
Later that day, every time Smoky came out of the box, bandit would grab her really hard by the scruff, and drag her back in!
She was squeaking really loud, so I decided to have a looksie, and make sure Bandit wasn't doing any damage.

Sure enough, Smoky had a few bite wounds between her shoulders! I decided to let them be for awhile, thinking it would pass, but when I put Smoky back into the cage, Bandit got REALLY aggressive!

I felt so bad for Smoky sitting there screaming in the corner, I tried to break them up by spraying water on them. When that didn't work, out of desperation I put my hand between them, and got a small nip, which drew a little blood.

I drew Smoky out of the cage again, fearing for her safety. (Rather be safe than sorry!)

I assumed Bandit only bit me because of the heat of the battle, but when I presented my hand to her about an hour later, she nipped me!
I thought, "I must have just startled her." even though my hand was in front of her the whole time..

So I tried again. She bit harder.

I left her alone for a few minutes, talking softly and cooing, and I presented it one last time, and she took a good chunk of flesh off of my finger! I sat in front of her in awe, as she chewed my finger-skin. D:

My boyfriend decided to see what was wrong, if she would bite him, but he got away before she did. She tried to bite him, though. )):

Smoky is still as shy and luvvy as before, though. Any comments on why she might be acting that way? What should I do?

I haven't put Smoky back in yet because I'm afraid of what Bandit might do. Help, please!

 

[jorats]

How old are the rats and where do they come from? pet store or breeder?
If you are seeing small marks on one of the rats, I would do a mite treatment, this can make a rat more aggressive.

 

[lilspaz68]

That does sound like an irritated rat...I would treat for mites (usually any small scabs on shoulders, neck and head are mites) and being constantly bitten makes a lot of rats testy...understandably.

If Bandit is dragging Smoky around, its not that bad...its not real fighting, a standoff, or a ratball. Is there any chasing going on, or just the dragging by the scruff? This phase should pass.

Bandit was telling you to back off, and you weren't listening, so she bit harder and harder. A truly aggressive bite is one chomp...no warnings. Next time you approach her, offer her the back of your hand, its harder to bite onto then tasty fingers. Watch and observe your girls carefully or if you can, take a video and post it so we can try to determine what's going on.