Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I acquired a year-old leucistic rat in June, and everything had been going well until about a week ago. Since his first escape last week, he has constantly been attempting to escape his enclosure.

I blocked his last escape route with weather stripping (he slipped through a gap in the sliding door), but he has been relentless in trying to get out since then. Although he appears healthy and has been eating and shedding well, he seems very restless. He patrols the perimeter of his cage nearly all day, rubbing his nose on the glass, trying to burrow out, and trying to escape through the screen. Although I like seeing him more often, I'm sure something is wrong.

He is about two feet long, and kept in a 30"x12"x15" sliding door cage. The temperatures are about 77 (cool side) and 82 (warm side) with plenty of hides, climbing branches, and fake plants that provide cooler shady spots and warmer basking points. Humidity generally stays around 50%, as I mist every other day and always make sure he has fresh water in his bowl. He is fed two hopper mice weekly, and has never refused a meal. He does stay put for two days after eating, but then begins the escape attempts again as soon as he defecates.

Is the cage too small, or is something else the problem? Since I bought him, I knew that his current cage wouldn't last forever, so I've been planning an upgrade. I'm just surprised if he needs it so soon.

Thanks for any advice. I am at a loss, and really want him to be comfortable.
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

he might be hungry

I wondered about that too, but he's about a year old, and I thought that feeding him 2 hoppers weekly was enough... I don't know. Anyone care to give any advice on feeding regimen?
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

i would go with 3 hoppers and see if that helps.

just another thought.. i have a jungle carpet python and he was very restless a while back. someone told me he was probably looking for a mate. i also have a ghost corn that goes on the prowel for weeks at a time looking for a way out. he will go on a hunger strike looking for a mate, also. so could be yours is at the age where he wants a mate.

just my 2 cents worth.

Oh... very true! I hadn't thought of that. How long does the prowling last when the males begin searching for mates? Should I expect it to die down any time soon?

I will also try 3 hoppers and see if he calms down any. We'll see... thanks for the tips!
-----
::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

i don't know for sure but mine were very restless for at least a month or more. my corn would take a rest but would not eat. he went like 5-6 weeks without eating. as long as yours is healthy he'll be able to go without food for a while...if that's what he wants. otherwise try the 3 hoppers at a time and see if he settles down.