Getting more aggressive?

[coeurfragile]

I've only had my two girlies for about two months now, and while I have questioned their aggression before, it seems to be getting worse.

Morgan rarely bites, even if she doesn't want to be picked up.  Natasha, on the other hand, thinks biting is her favorite sport lately.

Over the past two weeks, she and Morgan have been getting into more tussles than usual, which leave Morgan squealing and hiding, though with no blood drawn. If they're seeing who's the alpha, I think Natasha already won, so why does she come after Morgan ALL THE TIME? It got so bad last night that my boyfriend had to seperate them, and section them off in different levels for a while.

Also, previously Natasha was only bitey when she was cornered/didn't want to be picked up. Now, she lunges without warning at all times.  Walking by the cage, she slams herself into the side, teeth through the bars. I opened the cage today so I could take out the food bowl and clean it, and she lunged at my hand and bit me four times, drawing blood. She has NEVER done that before. I don't know if she was "protecting" her food, but I've taken it out and cleaned it twice a week since they've been here with no trouble at all.

Any ideas on why she's so aggressive to everything in sight?  I feel bad that I don't hold her often, but I can't get near her! If I try with a thin glove, she bites it, squeals and pees all over me.

[Addicted2Rats]

How old is she?  It could be hormones, or it could be possibly a pituitary tumor.

Deb

[coeurfragile]

They are both 4 1/2 months old

[Addicted2Rats]

At that age, it sounds like hormones would most likely be the problem.  I know that aggression can increase in males at that age due to hormones.  Neutering really helped with my boy, Izzy.  I'd think that it should help with your girl too.

Deb

[coeurfragile]

Thanks! I was hoping it wasn't something like a serious illness that was making her this way.  Spaying may be in the future for both of them... 

[Rawkon4ever]

I'm not sure what the prob may be, but just in case, keep your rodents separate at all times... Rodents have tendency to turn cannibal... I used to have 3 gerbils four years ago... that's what had happened to them... 

[Addicted2Rats]

That is VERY unusual in rats though.  In fact, I don't think I've ever heard of rats cannibalizing each other, and it isn't encouraged that they live alone.  In fact, rats do much better in groups and will become depressed if they are alone.  Syrian hamsters do have to live alone though because they will fight with other hamsters.  But I had read that gerbils are usually more social and can live together.

Deb

[Dearpie]

I'm not sure what the prob may be, but just in case, keep your rodents separate at all times... Rodents have tendency to turn cannibal... I used to have 3 gerbils four years ago... that's what had happened to them... 

Please do some research about proper rat care before giving incorrect information as advice.  Gerbils should also live peacefully together, espeically if they were brought up together.