Bratty Baby? Nippy Rat? :) (Pics)

[Rmv1983]

I thought I would actually post pics of my ladies, well two of them at least The black rat is Thelma, the white red-eyed lady is Louise, and the littlest rat is CoCo, although I'm thinking of renaming her. Is it normal for little rats to be well...brats? She often steals food from the adults, pounces on them while they are sleeping, or generally tries to annoy them  They often pin her to disciple her I think, and I can't say she doesn't deserve it .

My second question is in regards to my white rat, Louise. I have been accidentally bitten by her a couple of times, when she is over-eager for a treat, or she thinks I am going to feed her when trying to get her out. Its a little annoying, but nothing that would force her into a new home. She isn't mean, I am just not sure she knows the difference between a treat and my finger 

My girls are in a 10-gallon for a few days until their new cages from Petco comes in the mail. I ordered them a Petco Rat Manor Their old cage is a converted rabbit cage, but I got worried when Louise got her head stuck in the bars when eating, and Coco can squeeze through the bars =/. So it is very temporary, and I know its small for three rats, but I hope the rat manor will make up for it 

[lilspaz68]

Very typical baby rat behaviour   The older rats will finally have had enough and baby will be taught some ratiquette in due time.

Are you feeding through the bars at all?  You could try longer items and hold them firmly when she snatches, and tell her "easy"...she'll either play tug of war or let go a bit confused...I often find that snatchers can relearn behaviours

[Rmv1983]

I will try that, thank you She tends to do it when I feed through the bars, although yesterday I think she thought I was going to feed her in the 10 gallon and she bit me. It is funny to watch her being a little brat though 

[Scubbs]

That's your problem right there, definitely.  Never, ever feed an animal through the bars of the cage.  They learn to snatch without even thinking, even if you're not holding any yummies.  You can sometimes reverse the behavior by offering treats which they have to stay and eat, like soy yogurt on a spoon. 

[Serenity]

Keep in mind rats don't see very well either. Especially PEWs. My himylayan rattie has pink eyes. And if I forget to wash  my hands after eating or something or i've just had my hands in his treat bag and I put my hand in his cage he'll smell it and he'll grab my finger thinking its food. Luckily once he realizes its mom he lets go.

[Rmv1983]

Thank you for the information. I'm pretty new to rats, I didn't realize that Now up off to set up their new Rat Manor, it just came in the mail