Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently discovered that some of my adult rats are chewing through the bottoms of my freedom breeder tubs. I've performed a makeshift repair with some plastic I obtained from a modified storage tub that I use for grow-outs. Only problem is that I know they can chew through this plastic too because they are already attempting to chew there way out of the grow out tub as well. Any thoughts on how to stop the chewing? Is there a better material I can use in my tubs so they don't chew through them? Or are there better tubs out there than what I have?

Thanks,
Anthony

Once they learn to chew there is no stopping them.

Chewers=snake food.

To help prevent future groups from becoming chewers try providing scraps of wood for them to chew on. Rodents need to chew to keep their teeth in condition. Without things to chew on their teeth continue to grow so it is a natural thing for them to do. In the absence of anything else they will chew on their tubs.
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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
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Chewing is a natural behavior for rats. Their incisors never stop growing so they must chew to wear them down.

I've found that rats who get everything they need from their enclosure, whether it is a tub or an aquarium or a wire cage, will rarely attempt to chew their way out. Are you meeting all their needs? Do they ALWAYS have food, water, hide boxes and chewable toys available? If not, they will try to look elsewhere. If they can't find a hole to escape from they'll make one. Every time I had chewing occur in plastic containers was because the food dish or water bottle was empty.