Hi all,

I've got a male which has been a single rat (i have since realised that it wasn't the best idea but he has been healthy and happy enough to date). He's about 9 months old. He's very attached to me, to the point where he isnt all that fond of mum and dad. he nipped dad the other day on the finger and has also had a little nip at mum. never once bitten me and is a real snuggle pot, but just really doesn't like other people it seems lol. I have recently introduced a new boy to the family. He is about 6 weeks old now i'd say. I was most disspleased with where I got him from as they said he was supposed to be about 7 weeks old, but he is so tiny and im pretty **** sure he's only just coming up 6 weeks now :/. But anyways, Reepicheep is a sprightly young lad, loves to climb and give kisses and he's very social with mum (which is a nice change from Templeton for her haha). He is so excited to get out and run around that when we do intro's in the shower alcove (Reep in his smaller cage and Templeton loose in the alcove) all Reep wants to do is get out and play!. Templeton has been very good so far, he seems to just shove his nose through Reeps cage wire and sit there while the little man stands on the end of his nose and nibble him through the wires. Is this a good start or am i just being overly enthusiastic? Also I have read the Sticky about intro's but I wasn't exactly sure if my interpretation of "all is going well" actually is! Today after I try another run in the shower, I'm thinking I will do that cage swap for a little while. Templeton is kind of like an elephant in a china shop in Reep's transport cage! but he just sniffs a few things and then starts nibbling on some of Reep's food so hopefully that's a good sign that it's all relaxed etc. After a few more days of the swaps and shower time, what signs should I be looking for that they are getting ready for the next step? Reep is so tiny, I would hate to think that anything would happen even if it wasn't deliberate .

Cheers,
Hannah.