Why did she bite me?

[Deer]

For a while I have wanted to add another young female ratty to keep Sushi company, because Pancakes is lazy and won't play with her.

After a couple things fell through, I found a really sweet Himalayan girl (Mishka) (really close to my house too!) on Kijiji. Her mum (Cersei) wasn't being accepted by the rescuer's mischief so I agreed to take her as well. Both really friendly, sweet rats.

Things were going great until last night when I tried to add a food dish in the pre-intros cage. I tried to move the dish around her and Cersei bit me HARD and really deep. I was pretty surprised, its SORE and my feelings are a little bruised too. Im blindsided because my first two rats never did anything like this. She's otherwise being friendly and still comes up to see me but Im mildy afraid in the back of my mind that I'm going to be turned on again.

Is this because my hand smelled like the rats in the other cage? Because I had food? A little background as well, before she was rescued she was kept in a small dirty tank with a sister and two brothers (hence why she was pregnant) and rarely got any human interaction. I could see why she'd be a little defensive of her space, but she wasnt like this at the rescue home.

Just hoping for a little insight, if this is a one-off or going to turn into a cage agression issue.

Edit: Of course, all four rats have now had a go at my poor, bandaged finger :sad3:

 

[BlueSkyy]

Rats will go after bandages and gloves and such, don't worry, they're not trying to hurt you, they just want to get the weird thing on your hand.

As for why she bit you, it may have been the food smell. Rats have horrible vision and if your hand/finger smells like food and they're used to squabbling for their share, they just grab first and ask questions later. Unfortunately grabbing involves sharp teethies.

 

[Deer]

Rats will go after bandages and gloves and such, don't worry, they're not trying to hurt you, they just want to get the weird thing on your hand.

As for why she bit you, it may have been the food smell. Rats have horrible vision and if your hand/finger smells like food and they're used to squabbling for their share, they just grab first and ask questions later. Unfortunately grabbing involves sharp teethies.

I did receive lots of nibbling/licking all over my hands today, seems like she's just mouthy. :lol2: I hope thats all it is since she's been very nice today.
Ill work on my squeak just in case.

 

[jorats]

Sounds like those girls didn't have the best start to their lives and they might be over protective of their cage because of that. Eventually they will learn to associate your hand as good. Keep bringing them treats and try to handle them one on one, holding them in your hands.

 

[Deer]

I will! I haven't picked Cersei up since I'm worried she'll bite again, im nit sure how to interpret her nibbling. Mishka is fine but it's hard to get her to come out of her hidey. should I try with a towel or gloves?

 

[BlueSkyy]

Towels/gloves make rats nervous. After I got bit by Mr. Stump I was "gun shy" for a while. I just had to bite the bullet and go for it over and over and now I know he won't ever bite me again. I can't really remember what I did to get used to him again; just watched his behaviors really closely and only got him out when he wanted out.