Hector giving Doodlebug a cuddle.
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Rat
Size 1280 x 1195px
File Size 208.8 kB
i wanted to ask you, do you know why a non-lactating female rat would drag another rat by her neck?
i just got a new rat recently and when i introduced them for like a second, my second newest, Quinn, grabbed the newbie's neck and tried to drag her towards their house. the newbie, Noodle, didn't like it and started screeching, they got into a little scuffle and i separated them immediately. put Noodle back into her own cage, and she was fine. i was just wondering if it was like.... something i should be worried about or it's normal.
i just got a new rat recently and when i introduced them for like a second, my second newest, Quinn, grabbed the newbie's neck and tried to drag her towards their house. the newbie, Noodle, didn't like it and started screeching, they got into a little scuffle and i separated them immediately. put Noodle back into her own cage, and she was fine. i was just wondering if it was like.... something i should be worried about or it's normal.
Is the non lactating thing relevant? As in, has she had a litter recently? Because mother rats carry their babies in this way by dragging them by their skin.
Rats tend to nip and tug bits of skin either as a play invitation, or a form of 'mild aggression' toward a newbie. I say 'mild' as if a rat is really being mean, they do a lot more than that.
I'd say the dragging isn't a big concern, its more of a 'what are you? Are you new? Come with me, I wanna check you out'.
If the scuffle doesn't draw blood, I'd leave them to it. Separating rats the second they begin scuffling just prolongs the introduction process as this is how they sort out their hierarchy, and they have to be allowed to follow it through.
Some rats do scream, unnecessarily, and are drama queens.
If she isn't being hurt, as in, no blood is drawn, leave them to it.
Rats tend to nip and tug bits of skin either as a play invitation, or a form of 'mild aggression' toward a newbie. I say 'mild' as if a rat is really being mean, they do a lot more than that.
I'd say the dragging isn't a big concern, its more of a 'what are you? Are you new? Come with me, I wanna check you out'.
If the scuffle doesn't draw blood, I'd leave them to it. Separating rats the second they begin scuffling just prolongs the introduction process as this is how they sort out their hierarchy, and they have to be allowed to follow it through.
Some rats do scream, unnecessarily, and are drama queens.
If she isn't being hurt, as in, no blood is drawn, leave them to it.
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