Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. My husband and I are both major reptile people. We have 12 snakes, 12 lizards, 36 tarantulas, 1 scorpion, and 2 hermit crabs, plus our four starter breeder mice (one male, three females). We'll likely shortly start our rat breeders, as well. Don't worry, with our breeders we won't feed live - we'll use CO2 euthinasia for all feeders. I know some of you will freak about that, but we take very good care of all our animals including our "feeder breeders." We'll be cycling them, too, so they have a break from pregnancy to build their strength (just as humans shouldn't be constantly pregnant, neither should anything else if you are caring for them)

Ok, here's the real issue. My husband is the type that will fall in LOVE with the rats and will have a couple as pets. I would like to know what traits to look for in the rats we choose as our breeding stock that would mean good pet-quality as well. I know that the earlier you handle them, the better the connection will be, but some animals are just MEAN from day one! We're getting most of our rats as freshly weaned, so what can we look for? He likes the non-white ones, which many of the stores around here carry.

I just want to make sure we can pick a decent baby or two for Tony to play with as HIS rats. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Hi, all of my rats were ment to be snake foodand I've found that if you get them young enough and keep handling them any baby rat becomes a pet. I think its all about how much time you spent with your rat.
I have'nt a problem with mice and rats as food items.
Robin
Harm None.

I'm a big reptile person too but I still have a problem with using rats as food. My reptiles are a lizard and lots of turtles so I don't need to use rodents as food. I can't do it. I find snakes to be beautiful animals but I can't keep one because I can't feed one. LOL

I do admire the fact that you use CO2 though and that you are kind enough to not turn them into snake food by other methods.

First thing to look for is that the rats aren't sneezing a lot. Rats are very prone to respiratory diseases that can really make them suffer if you can't get it knocked out of them. BUT sneezing can throw you off.. they generally will sneeze for a week or so when you first bring them home, then it tapers off.. its often caused by differences in bedding material, differences in humidity- lots of things other than a real illness.
You have to watch them for a couple of weeks, if they're actually sick you'll start to see other symptoms such as listlessness, not eating.. you can tell.

The other thing is friendliness toward humans. Like Robin said almost ALL of them adore you especially when you get them young.
Once in a blue moon you'll find one that's standoffish.. in my experience almost every one I've had that was that way & couldn't be won over turned out to be one that had some medical problem that didn't get diagnosed until later.
If they are terrified of you right off the bat, it's easier to look for one who isn't.

Males are just as friendly as females & they don't fight with one another the way mice do.
Rats are wonderful animals!
You're husband will LOVE them & c'mon.. so will you don't ya think?
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PHRatz

I have two rats which will soon be breeders also. But they are my pets.
I have found with rats, that the males tend to be a bit more curious, so easier to get on with from day one. Females take a bit longer to come around, but once they do, both are great cuddlers.
I was curious about the Co2. I'm planning on using it, as I could NEVER bash their head or freeze(shudders at the thought). But I have no idea where to get it, and how you go about using it. Maybe this isn't a thread for the pet rat department, so if not just PM me(if possible).