Three of my rats were six months old when I introduced a six week old rat (Hazel) into their group. They've been living happily together for around three or four months and I've noticed over the last month that Hazel has seemingly started copying one of the others' (Ginger's) behaviour. It's only one, so I was wondering whether they can learn and copy the behaviour of others or whether she just happens to have the same interests/ behaviour as Ginger?
arianne
Oh they certainly can copy each other. I've seen it so many times in my girls. Both good and bad habits get picked up. 
Definitively. That is why it is so important that baby rats stay with their mom and/or same sex siblings for at least 6 weeks. Some breeders keep their babies for a few more weeks as they see how much the early extra interaction can teach young rats how to behave and interact with other rats.
I figured they would learn from their mother as babies, I just didn't realise it carried on past just 'how to be a rat 101' Hazel seems to idolise Ginger, she'll sit and watch what Ginger is doing, then when Ginger gets bored and moves on Hazel will start doing whatever it is Ginger had been doing
Hazel seems to idolise Ginger, she'll sit and watch what Ginger is doing, then when Ginger gets bored and moves on Hazel will start doing whatever it is Ginger had been doing 
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