[lalalauren]

I've got two groups of rats who I don't think are going to get on. Sulu and Lestrade are nearly 2 years old and Lestrade is in tact whereas Sulu is neutered. Both rats show aggression towards Artax and Fenris who are around 4 months old, but Lestrade is quicker to attack and has drawn blood on several occasions. Since Sulu is no better at socialising despite being neutered, I've decided not to get Lestrade neutered and to bring up two separate groups of rats.

I free range on the sofa, usually one group after the other. Sometimes the adults come out first, and sometimes the babies. On the occasions that I do get the babies out before the adults, Lestrade will dig at the sofa, particularly on the areas the babies have spent a lot of time on. I assume this is territorial, but I just wondered why he does this? All of the rats seem pretty happy with being on the sofa despite its various smells, it's just Lestrade being weird

 

[kksrats]

My most territorial boy also "digs" this way typically followed by him dragging his whole body around the area. I've had a couple other boys do the digging thing as well, so I guess it's not too uncommon.

 

[moonkissed]

It is him "marking" his territory actually. One of my boys does it all over the place silly boy.

 

[mimsy]

I think I'd prefer some digging and body rubs. Mine, all 8 boys, soak down the area's my girls where in if they are out prior to them. Not just a little marking..it's some nice puddles. If I don't wash my hands, I get a urine bath myself...ick

 

[lalalauren]

There is also a ridiculous amount of pee >.< also his rear end gets really really wet. I don't understand how. It's not the underneath part like you'd expect, it's the top part around his tail.

Rats are gross >.> he's lucky he's adorable. When he's not hissing at the babies