Teenage rats?

[Samii]

So tonight my two younger rats got in their first fight. They're brothers and have always just pla fought. It was concerning. Then, when I tried to take them out later, one of them wouldnt leave the cage and the other bit me once I tried to pick him up after taking him out. Be meant it too and left a pretty bad bite. Hurt my feelings too. :/

I'll mention that I have two older rats who live separately but in the same room. They were out when the fight happened but the younger rats cage Is high and can't be reached so I'm not sure what caused the fight. Maybe just a disagreement. But it worries me that he did that when he's never bit me before, only play bites which are usually very soft. I don't want to be afraid of him but it really sucked that he would do that to me.

 

[jorats]

How old are the "teenage rats"?

 

[Samii]

I believe they're around 5 months now.

 

[Joanne]

If their behaviour gets worse permanently, then neuters would probably be in the cards.
Perhaps your boy bit you because he was still all revved up from the altercation. How long between the time of the fight and the bite?
Do either of them have bleeding injuries? Or was it more noise and a bit of fur?

 

[jorats]

I agree with Joanne.

 

[Samii]

It was just noise and a bit of fur. I took them both out immediately after to assess despite their irritation and didn't get bit then. It was about an hour later that I took them out the second time. That's when I got bit.

 

[Joanne]

Keep an eye on their behaviour then. If they start being hormonal all the time, then the easiest and most effective way to calm them down is a neuter. Don't let it get to the point where you are afraid of them though.