i just got 2 rats last night, and their names are oreo and jack. jack is the little baby, who always looks sleepy and who falls asleep when i rub his head. (SO CUTE!!!!) and oreo is the little stinker who NEVER STOPS MOVING! lol
anyways, i've been trying to get them used to me, so i've been sticking my hands in their cage and feeding them treats and letting them walk all over my hands and nibble them. and i've also been sticking my face in the opening of the cage. so they sniff all over my and lick me and stuff, but they also try and groom my bangs! lol i think it's adorable but why do they do that? lol they lick it and fuss around with it with their paws and it's like they're slicking it down and combing it with their paws lol.
why do they do it?
2007-08-19 06:46:10 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Congratulations on getting some well-socialized and friendly babies :)
The art of grooming:
http://www.ratbehavior.org
Rats engage in a number of self-grooming activities, which keep the fur and skin clean. The most extensive is the cephalocaudal groom, a grooming sequence that covers the face, flanks and tail and is found in some form or another in all rodents. A less extensive grooming sequence is the nibble. In rare circumstances nibbling may become excessive and turn into self-barbering. Lastly, rats scratch themselves, usually with a hind foot.
Rats live in a social colony and grooming one another is an activity that let's each rat know that they are an accepted member of the colony. If your babies are grooming you then it means that you have been accepted into their colony. http://www.ratbehavior.org/Glossary.htm#Allogrooming
Your relationship with your new pets is the best start that you can have and what every new rat-keeper hopes for. Enjoy
spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"
2007-08-19 08:00:22 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 6⤊ 4⤋
Awww, sweet! The little guys have obviously have taken an immediate liking to you. Licking & grooming are signs of affection & acceptance.
They sound really cute.
2007-08-20 01:11:16 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because they love you! they are very social animals and like to groom each other now they think that you are one of them you are an equal. They also like the taste of our skin... they like the salty taste of it. Most people would suggest that you get a salt/mineral lick for them. I hope your little rodents have a long happy life with you. I know my rabbit loves to lick my chin when I hold her!
2007-08-19 15:07:18 · answer #3 · answered by BumbleBee 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Rats like to groom themselves and other rats, so when they groom you, it's like they're letting you know that you're one of them. They like you and want you to be groomed well. I think it's really cute. You're lucky to have gotten two rats who accept you and feel comfortable around you already.
2007-08-19 13:59:22 · answer #4 · answered by K 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
there could be 3 reasons of this...it is very normal i could mean she is showing appretioation for u hold her feeding her peting her or just b/c she loves u...
it could also mean that they smell food on u and are hungrey
or that they thaink ur dirty and need a bath...lol
2007-08-19 14:12:22 · answer #5 · answered by reptilian_queen1 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
their cleaning you and its their way of letting you know they accept you. be grateful they warmed up so quickly and enjoy it!
2007-08-19 13:55:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋