I want 2 rats. But one week I want two males, and then I read more info, and then the next week I'll want two females! It's really driving me nuts! Lol! I like the males because apparently they are less likely to get themselves into trouble because they are not as adventurous, and are more likely to laze around on me. But the downside to them is they mark more than females and can apparently get aggressive with eachother when the hormones kick in.

As for girls, they are less smelly and easier to add more females if I wanted. Being more adventurous they will be more interesting to watch. But the downside to females is the tumour issue.

What do I do??? I'm about to get a nice big cage with lots of bits and bobs to go inside, and I know that as soon as it's ready, I'll want my ratties ASAP.

Please help!! And before anyone suggests I get 2 cages, one for males and one for females, that's a no no.

How about getting a couple of females and a neutered male, that way you can have both

i have had both and both are very active when young my old boy is just starting to slow down hes two i think its males that can get hormonal with each other i love my girls but my boys are my fave they love cuddles my girls still run round like crazy and its impossible to keep them on the bed in my opinion males are abit more smelly i never smell the girls

hmmm, still clueless

To further add to your confusion, I've got a group of boys who never seemed to have hit this 'hormonal period' and have remained and harmonious and closeknit group their entire lives, whilst I've had some girls who have been extremely smelly and intent on marking everything, beating up everyone in the cage etc.

So they don't always follow a set personality for bucks and does, the current girls I have now are very docile and sweet, not particularly pingy, and my boys at just over 18 months, are showing no signs of slowing down and are rather playful.

Your best bet is to talk to a decent breeder in your area, ask them what their particular lines' personalities are like, as they will have more of an idea of what a typical buck and a typical doe from one of their litters is likely to grow up like.

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http://kaedianmori.tumblr.com/ <--- NSFW





RIP - Marsh, Hugo, Mako, Rufus, Seamus, Lavender, BigBoy, Tetley and Fitch <3

The females I've had in the past have always dribbled urine! And they still squabble.
I have boys I've gone from 2 to 14 males,10 live in my explorer cage but the other 4 are only teeny so they can't be added till another month but all my male intros have gone well.

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

Argent, What you say about talking with a breeder about their rat's personalities makes sense, but I'm having trouble finding any breeders near me. I've sent an email to NFRS for a breeders list but haven't had a reply yet. I really want some ratties soon and I really want them from a breeder, but there are some in my local pet shop that are adorable, but I know it will be a mistake if I bought them from there. I'm very impatient! Lol! I just want ratties noooooww!!

My girls havent always been typical girls and Ive got mostly crazy, playful boys left now, the boys have been more squabbly than the girls but Ive only ever had to have one boy neutered because of aggression and he was a proper softy afterwards. What about rescuing adult rats? That way the rescue should be able to fit you up with the type of rat youre looking for. Plus you say that you arent prepared to get girls and boys as more than two rats isnt an option, has nobody warned you that all rats infect humans with GMR

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Where abouts do you live? Chances are there'll be someone here who knows a decent breeder nearby

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http://kaedianmori.tumblr.com/ <--- NSFW





RIP - Marsh, Hugo, Mako, Rufus, Seamus, Lavender, BigBoy, Tetley and Fitch <3

I'm in north Manchester.