Okay, first off, I DO NOT agree with much of what my friend has done/is doing, so I don't really need comments about that - I just don't want this topic to turn into a debate. I'll put in more notes where necessary.

So, a friend of mine is a major herp person, and one of her snakes ONLY eats live...She's tried holding off on his food to get him to eat frozen, but he refuses to. Not sure exactly how much effort she's put into that, but that's not the point. So she bought a rat (male) to feed the snake, but though the snake attacked it, he didn't eat it. She took the rat out, and decided to keep it as a pet. I can't remember what she told me she was keeping it in, but I KNOW it's not suitable. She also doesn't know very much about rats, and, as far as I know, hasn't put much effort into researching them. Clueless, basically. Anyway, her problem (she asked me to help her...which will give me a chance to see what kind of conditions he is kept in, and TRY to convince her to change whatever she needs to change) is that the rat is 'skittish'. He'll be still after being picked up for a few seconds, and then thrash and start breathing hard and panicking. She wants me to help her get him over that.

So my question is, basically: Any tips for calming/taming a skittish rat?

By the way, if I can't get her to care for the rat properly, my plan is to try and convince her to give him to me...Which will be really difficult, but worth a try for the poor boy.

Edited to add: Also, forgot to mention that the rat is kept ALONE, and though I've tried to convince her that he needs a companion, she won't have it. Still, I doubt she'd be able to provide adequate care for ONE rat, much less two.

I know...I can't stop thinking about the poor boy. He's still young, from what she's described to me. Does the size of the testes give an indication of age? Like, if they're prominent then it's an older rat, right? Because her boy's aren't as of yet...She guessed him to be around 2 months, so if that's all correct, he's still quite young.

The snake thing is a VERY good point...I never thought of that! Come to think of it, she probably DOES keep the rat and the snakes in the same room, since they're probably all in her bedroom. Now I feel even worse for the boy Plan B is still to try and get the rat off her...I don't think she can afford a bigger cage, either, and though I can't recall what she's keeping it in, I KNOW it's too small.

Anyway, those are some GREAT tips you gave me, I'll be sure to pass them on! I also plan on going over there soon, possibly this week, so I can see how she's keeping him...And bring some treats ^^ Thanks a lot, and if anyone else has anything to add, please do!

Hi,
I also keep snakes. They eat ONLY frozen/thawed mice...NEVER live and NEVER rats.
My rats live in the same room but have never been exposed to snakes before I got them and have no fear at all. the snakes are NEVER out when the rats are, and any snake small enough to get in the rats cage, is small enough for them to kill (not that I want that either).
My youngest one in fact seems to know the caged snakes cant get him and likes to dance on top of one of the cornsnake cages, its like hes saying "neener neenr neener you cant get meeeeee".

But in your case, this rat KNOWS a snake can hurt him. No wonder hes scared!

The only problem, rhinecat, is that my friend isn't too fond of rats anyway - which I guess is understandable, since she can't afford to get attatched to her snake's food. Because of that, I'm not sure if she'll be extremely willing to put in a lot of effort to try and switch her snakes onto frozen food...I'll definitely send her that article though, it is rather persuasive...Thank you so much for that, hopefully it will influence her a little.

I know, and I completely see where your coming from...I'd be the same if I was a reptile owner, even if I absolutely HATED rodents (and I feel terrible even typing the words 'hate' and 'rodent' in the same sentence...I them all!!). Just that my friend is kind of one of those 'I know better than everyone else' or 'I believe what I want to believe' people. Maybe this article will change her mind though...I'll definitely try. And I'll see about getting that boy more comfortable.

Oh, and I believe there was a VERY good essay on why you shouldn't keep rats alone. I remember reading it, but I never bookmarked it...Does anyone know the link?

Thank you!!!!!!!!! *hugs*

Did the snake actually strike and/or coil around the rat? If so, he may have injuries that make him uncomfortable when held. (bite wounds/broken ribs etc) If so, obviously those would have to be taken care of before he'd ever begin to calm down. 

Rats bred to be feeders can become lovely pets when properly cared for. Some may take longer than others, but it isn't impossible. It doesn't sound as if he's a biter, so it's really a matter of regaining his trust.  Also, make sure she isn't picking him up by his tail.

My main concern would be that he could have an injury that's making him uncomfortable.

Okay, so I went to see the little guy today during lunch, and I totally fell in love with him...I'll give you the good before the bad.

We went into her room, where he's kept, and she took the lid off the aquarium so that I could lift him out. So, I pick the cutie up and sit him in my lap. And then I gasp. He has got the thickest, softest, most GORGEOUS fur EVER! I sat there, holding him in my lap and petting him, until he seemed to relax. (He's a standard black hooded, BTW). My friend stared in shock and commented that he had NEVER sat still for anyone before. At first, he shook a bit, but after a while, calmed even more...AND THEN HE STARTED BRUXING! I was like, WHOO! This boy totally stole my heart. My friend told me I can have him. And I feel terrible for him.

Here are the conditions: She's been feeding him a cheap feed mix, and he's been living in a 10 gallon tank with nothing but PINE bedding, and a small box to hide in. He hasn't been taken out of the cage much, because he won't hold still for anyone (except me, apparently ) and she admits that she cannot afford to care for him, not with all the snakes she already has.

And now to explain why I just spent 10 minutes bawling, and then next 5 Loki spent licking my face:

I asked my mom about the rat, if we could please take it, and tried to explain the situation...though I didn't have a chance, because she started flipping out on me. I won't get into details, but it didn't go well.

I really want this boy. He's gorgeous, totally melted me, and I KNOW I can give him a better home, with two other ratty boys to play with and a huge cage (...which SHOULD be here sometime next week). I need to convince her somehow.

So what are your thoughts on the whole situation?

I was just taking a break from cleaning to read your post, and being reminded of that boy brought me to tears! It's wierd, because I haven't cried in a LOOOONG time (not getting into details, but it's messed up) but when I was sitting here, thinking about that poor baby...And then again, just now, reading your post...But anyway.

She seemed absolutely shocked when I told her that pine bedding was really BAD for rats. Apparently the pet store staff had given it to her, as well as the seed mix! And the tank he's in is just TERRIBLE! It's clean and everything, and she washes it every 2 days or so, but she's just totally ignorant otherwise. I guess I can't blame her: she's a snake person, and she didn't exactly have time to research. All she had was around 30 bucks to get a cage and all. She doesn't exactly seem eager to get rid of him; despite the fact that he won't let her hold him, she seems to be attatched to him at least slightly. But she realizes that she can't care for him properly, and so wants to give him to me. Then there's my mother... But I absolutely LOVE that boy!

I don't know if it was 'one of those moods' or just a definite no...I didn't try to fight her, because I know it doesn't work. Right now, I'm cleaning the house as a way of apolagy for bringing that on her while she was fresh from the stresses of work. Maybe that will help a little.

I am so distressed right now. That poor baby.

I'm sorry hon.  I didn't mean to upset you.


Give your mum some time to settle down. What is one more rat, especially if he can get along with your other two boys, right? If your mum loves animals half as much as you do, I'm sure she will eventually say yes, if only to get that poor little guy out of that situation. Promise her that he will be taken care of, he won't stink, etc. etc. (all those stupid concerns that parents have about pet rats!)

And yes, I agree with Brandy - what exactly did she say?

I would ask you mom again, but bring the question on her slowly. My mom always freaked out at first, then she was fine. I remember one time I really wanted to adopt a pair of females, she said no at first, that I couldn't save the rat population. I said I not trying to, can I help it if you raised me to be such a compasionate person. I mushed her up a bit, she gave in.

...And he has a home! A good friend of mine convinced her parents to let her take him in...We're all going out this weekend to buy all the necessary supplies and then picking him up. She's also going to get him a friend, so we've got to work on introductions...

Any suggestions?