Hello all 

Anyways, as the title tells, I'm having issues with socializing, fear of nipping and Bug's cage.

Socializing first: I know it's only been a little over a day, but today after school I got Bug out and we had play time. This consists of a fenced in part of my room with a plastic table cloth on the floor, and me and rattie hanging out. Well, the first challenge is getting him out of the cage. He doesn't like to be picked up, but I guess I wouldn't either, but I don't want to have to get him into a sleep sack or somthing just to take him out. Will he get more used to me picking him up over time? Then when we we're having play time, I just sat in the corner reading while Bug wandered around sniffing and taste testing. He hasn't bit me, but how do I react if he ever does? He's quite sweet and friendly, but I want to be preparred. Next (just one more!) he was confident walking around sliffing everywhere and putting his front paws up on my legs and stuff, but if I ever petted him, he would squeak. Is that normal? What does it mean?

Now, for the cage!! I got him a rat manor, and it's a great cage. A nice size and everything. However, it's driving me INSANE! I have it set up like on the picture, but it's not working. When he's on the upper 2 or 3 levels, he's friendly and outgoing and comes to say hi when I walk in the room. BUT, when he's on the bottom floor, he's a little devil rattie! He hides in the back corner underneith the little half level so it's hard enough to get him in the first place, without him squeaking when I put my hand near him. Why is it only that one level? How can I fix it? For now, he's just using the top full floor and half floor and he's perfectly happy, but I don't want to waste the other half of the cage or not give him enough space. What should I do? I tried putting a half level at the top, then the full level, then the half level without a ladder to the bottom floor, but he climbs (little acrobat!). I don't really know what I should do.

Last, I'm always nervouse he might bite me. I know it's stupid, since he's had the oppertunity before and never has, but I still somtimes am nervouse even though I don't want to be. Anyone know how to not be so anxious about it? I feel silly 

Sorry for such a long message, but I'm sure most of you understand that I'm still kind of unsure and don't want to mess anything up! Thanks for your help and patience with me 

That's good advice.  I've had some rats that are instant buddies, but most take time.  The squeaking means "I Don't Like!" or "You scare me!"
Big hand, little rat, reasonable enough reaction.

One way I played with my rats when they were first getting used to me (and still do, sometimes) is to put my crossed arms where they could walk onto them. They would dart in and out of the cage, climb up on my shoulder, snuffle my ear, taste my hair, run back into the cage... We call it "mama mountain".  The key hear is that the rat is in control and less likely to feel threatened. It's something of a riot with a cage of five boys!

You will most likely get bitten at least once.  Most of the time it isn't a big deal.  He might mistake your fingers for food, or react out of startlement (or out of defensiveness if you insist on hauling him out of his hiding spot.  That's the rat's perspective, btw, not mine). SQUEEK at him.  See earlier explanation 

You'll get there!  Patience!