Natal/ASF Rats as pets?

[Inna]

Hi everyone!

This is my first time posting here, so hi, my name's Melissa   I'm not sure if I should post here or on the rats board, so please forgive me but I'm posting in both.  I'm looking for a classroom pet for next school year (which I promise will be well taken care of by me, I'm a responsible pet owner with a small zoo of my own).  I've been going back and forth between mice and gerbils, but I found someone selling natal/African soft furred rats.  Does anyone here have any experience with these?  I'm seeing quite a bit of conflicting information on the internet.  Some people say they make good pets, some people say they're vicious.  I'm looking for more of a "watching" type pet, rather than an interactive one, as the kids are young and I'd be nervous about them handling a small animal anyway.  So it wouldn't have to be the friendliest animal in the world.  But I do want the kids to help with caregiving, so I can't have anything that's territorial or vicious, either.  I would personally like to be able to handle them, though, and the breeder says he can sell them to me as soon as they're weaned so that they can get used to being handled.  So, if anybody has any experience, good or bad, please let me know.

Thanks!
Melissa

[eveliens]

I have two of these guys, and I have had them since they were weaned. Mine are very curious and friendly and I can handle them, but they can also be skittish. Also, they are "tasters" and will explore things with their mouths. Females are supposed to be nicer but I haven't noticed a difference. Just be careful. I originally had four which were all supposed to be female. I ended up with two of each sex (luckily I can sex better than the breeder could). Two died suddenly for no reason, which makes me suspect bad breeding (they are bred for snake food). Also, they are nocturnal, but mine are active during the day too. They love to climb and run on the wheel. They are highly social, so consider getting at least a pair.

If you're looking for a more active animal to watch, I'd probably recommend a pair of same-sex gerbils. Gerbils are diurnal and busy, busy. They love to dig and run and they don't smell as much as some other small pets. Just keep in mind they also love the CHEW and happily destroy anything wood or plastic.

[Topaz]

I would also go with gerbils in this case. If the kids will have their hands in the pets' environment at any time, I would steer clear of natals.  I've had extremely good luck with mine so far and have not been bitten out of the 14 I have, but most of it depends on the breeder as well, if they breed their friendlier natals or if they breed for high production to feed to snakes (which is what they're originally meant for.) 

Gerbils are great watch pets, but can also be handled. I've never been bitten by one.