'Wagging' tail sign of aggression/fear/annoyance?

[LuvRats2]

I'm trying to break in the new babies slowly and get them to trust me. I've been reading posts about the trust training and I know it will just take some time. In just a week there has been progress - they now come to me, know the 'treat bag rustling' that sends them running up to the door, etc. And I've been peed on today finally! Yay pee! lol.

My concern is Smokey. I think he was not socialized and even misheld at the pet store. When I put my hand in he stiffens up, grabs the bottom of the cage and 'freezes'. I'll just gently lay my hand down next to him, sneak in a scritch, then keep my hand there. One thing I notice though - not all the time, but sometimes when I press my hand gently near him or scritch behind him, his tail will slither back and forth/around rapidly like a snake and twitch.
He has never hissed or nipped at me though. Is this just nerves, do you think? A sign of aggression I should
watch out for? Never had a rat whose tail did that when I went to pet them. I don't want to be traumatizing
the poor guy moving too soon for him.

[Kendra]

That can be a sign of excitement, or a warning.  I would assume warning/nervousness in this case.  Sounds like he just needs time and love, poor little sweetie.

[angelratgirl]

tail wagging is like an extension of bruxing for rats who do it. and like bruxing, it can be from happiness or agitation/fear. i have known rats who wagged their tail when you petted them just right (as in 'ohhhh yeah, that's the spot') and i have know rats who wagged when they sensed some kind of confrontation could be coming (as in, you better tell that cat/other rat not to come a step closer)

so it really could go either way. he may tense up naturally like my celia does. no matter how much she loves and trusts me, she always tenses up when i go to pick her up. it is just reflex for her. and since she is now two years old, i don't think it is something that will go away, but once she is out and away from the cage, she relaxes and even bruxes like she wants the world to hear.

[TheNightSpider]

Whenever I pick up Vapour he swings his tail around in circles....? Like what the? *giggles*

[lilspaz68]

Whenever I pick up Vapour he swings his tail around in circles....? Like what the? *giggles*

Vapour is doing helicopter tail to keep his balance...some rats will just hang but some are uncomfortable with being picked up and do that.

Scared and nervous rats are most likely to twitch their tail...but there are some that wag it when they are happy and comfortable as well...the body language will tell you which one it is.   

[TheNightSpider]

Yeah he doesn't like me that much LOL he is my big boy though and he hates getting picked up.  I have to go and give him meds now which means a lot of squeaking and annoyance.  *sighs* *giggles*  Helicopter! LOL