Ok, so my cousin has a hamster and I am going to get two rats. I was wondering if I let one rat out with the hamster would my rat kill it or would they react as if they were the same species?
2007-11-08 18:37:39 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
Rats will kill mice or hamsters. It is NEVER a good idea to mix species of animals like that, most of the time the bigger one will kill the smaller one. Yes, we've all seen pictures of cats raising baby squirrels and such -- but those are the EXCEPTIONS.
Have fun with your rats -- I'm glad you are getting two!
2007-11-08 18:42:35 · answer #1 · answered by luvrats 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Domestic Rats are not aggressive animals. Wild rats are naturally cautious.
If anything, the rat will be very curious, try to sniff at the hamster, and depending on their personality, either play, dominate or ignore the hamster.
Hamsters are more defensive and aggresive than rats.
Its best to keep species with species to be sure, or else closely monitor them. They would probably rather NOT be in each others company.
2007-11-08 20:45:35 · answer #2 · answered by treemeadow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals are unpredictable and it's impossible to say what would happen! We can however guess what might happen. If you care about your animals, then you should not take the risk. In the wild a rat would kill the hamster. Mice do not even like the smell of a rat in their presence. Look at the link below..it talks about muricide.
dave<:3}~...OWNER/ SHAGGYMOUSE YAHOO GROUP
2007-11-09 02:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by dave s 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not positive, but I think the rat would most likely attack the hamster, and yes probably kill it. Rats can be very aggressive animals, and of course are much larger and stronger than hamsters.
It may depend partly on ages also. Baby animals often learn to get together with other species.
If you want to find out a safe way, I'd try placing their cages next to one another and watching their behaviours that way. You should be able to tell if either has much interest in the other.
Another thing to consider is that often animals placed together, even of the same species, are very territorial. With some species it's better to introduce the more aggressive of the two into the territory of the other, sometimes not, and sometimes it depends on the sex of them also.
As you can see there isn't necessarily the simplest answser to this, but then I'm partially guessing here, giving you some things to think about.
Best of success, Lili
2007-11-08 18:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lili 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
don't even risk it. it is likely that the rat will kill or at least go for the hamster
2007-11-09 02:30:07 · answer #5 · answered by WitchyPants 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't do it. Hamsters are solitary animals who attack much larger animals in their territory. Rats also don't like intruders. Both have sharp teeth and hot tempers. Someone will end up dead.
2007-11-08 18:52:22 · answer #6 · answered by E M K 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The rats would kill it ... don't put them together x
2007-11-08 21:04:29 · answer #7 · answered by Mocha 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's hard to say.maybe they will not fight at all or they will.the rat might kill the hamster
2007-11-09 02:30:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would kill each other instantly. Rats are carnivores and in the wild they eat small animals, even kittens.
I would hate to see them get hurt. Please don't attempt to put them together.
2007-11-08 18:43:58 · answer #9 · answered by Ringer Dog 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋