My Newest Baby.

Miss Vicky · #1 04-03-2006, 11:01 PM

So I've decided that I should have the word "Sucker" tattooed on my forehead.

I work as a receptionist at a veterinary office that treats not only cats and dogs but birds, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, and reptiles. A really good client came in today and asked if I knew of anybody who wanted a pet rat. Apparently he had bought a rather large adult male rat to feed to his python and, for whatever reason, the snake had refused to eat the rat. As y'all probably know by now, I LOVE rats. So, of course, I thought to myself "Hey, I have extra cages and plenty of food, toys, and bedding at home, and I only have one rat right now, so why not?"

Needless to say, I now have two rats. I'm calling the new guy "Cy" (as in short for "Cyclops" because he has only one eye). I estimate that he's probably between 1 and 1 1/2 years of age (rats typically live 2-3 years) and he's a little skittish but is surprisingly gentle, especially considering that he'd been raised as a feeder rather than a pet.

I snapped this quick photo of him. I'll get a better one later on, but I didn't want stress him out too much with flashing lights right now.

GODDESS6 · #2 04-04-2006, 06:51 AM

i took care of my elementary school's rat for 3 yrs, i loved him!!!~ he was an awesome creature, very smart~
congrats!!!

~

cliffdweller · #3 04-04-2006, 08:41 AM

I didn't know rats only live 2-3 years! Why such a short life-span?

Miss Vicky · #4 04-04-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I didn't know rats only live 2-3 years! Why such a short life-span?

Rats are prone to a lot of diseases and, sadly, most of the research that has been done regarding these illnesses has been done with the intention of causing them rather than curing them. The two biggest killers of domesticated rats are cancer and pneumonia.

JazmenFlowers · #5 04-04-2006, 09:46 AM

good for you. I'm glad some people can take these in as pets and give them such love and attention. There's no way I could.

I know you're excited.

SuzeQuze · #6 04-04-2006, 10:09 AM

That is one of the luckiest rats on the planet!

DavidMn · #7 04-04-2006, 04:06 PM

My friend has 2 rats. I dont mind them, although theyre not my favorite animal.