Dumbo Rats

[Dame Babs]

I have recently bought 2 male dumbo rats, after the loss of my female rat Basil (yeah I know!) they're really sweet and play fight together. But if I put my hand into their cage they sometimes nibble my fingers, especially my nails, but if I take them out, Ronnie in particular, bites my clothing and my skin! His (sort of) brother Reggie is not so nibbly outside of his home. My question is how on earth do I stop Ronnie biting me? They really are truly adorable, apart from this one irritating habit.

[cherrypoker]

Hiya!

I also have 2 pet rats. George is a black and white hooded and Fred is a white dumbo husky.
I also had the same problem with George and it went on for ages. I just found that the more i handled them the less he bit me.
George is now 18 months old and is quite tame. I have found though that while George likes to run riot, Fred is happy just sitting with me on the couch.
Fred is a lovely little thing who adores cuddles.
Give it time i'm sure Ronnie will come around as did George, but as i say they are all different with different personalities just like we are.
Hope this helps a little.
Good luck with them both, i love rats they are sooo adorable.

Take carex

[Dame Babs]

Thanks cherrypoker! I will perservere with Ronnie. I will tell you this though, as it was soo sweet. Ronnie runs after Reggie when he has food, the other day I saw Reggie (the smaller of the two) get some food and give it to Ronnie and then, once Ronnie was tucking in Reg went and got some food for himself! How sweet! They are lovely, just like my Basil (female) was, very friendly. I think that rats on the whole are misunderstood by some people, they're not disease ridden, but very gentle, affectionate and intelligent little fellows and I love 'em!