I think I do a pretty good job about keeping my rat’s cages clean, blut let’s face it… they are still rodents and they get pretty stinky sometimes. In the summer months, I stick my rats out in the garage where they get a little more fresh air (and the air in my house can stay fresh too). My garage is well lit and stays at a comfortable temperature even on the hottest of days. The rats seem to love it.
The other day, I got home from work and as I walked past the rats, I noticed that they were acting pretty suspicious. They were all standing on there rear legs and looking out the cage. They all huddled around each other and were just acting so weird. I didn’t think anything of it. Well, I went outside a few minutes later and to my surprise, there was a HUGE snake sitting right outside the garage. Knowing that snakes eat rats, mice, etc, I hurried and closed the garage and took my little guys back inside.
I live in Idaho so I know that snakes are fairly common but I don’t think it was just a coincidence that the snake was sitting outside the garage. Those stinky rats must have attracted that snake and brought him closer than comfort would allow.
I think I’ll keep my rats indoors now…. just in case.
AW! Better to stink up the house than be snarfed up eh? Too bad to lose a great spot but gotta protect the babies.
Make sure you’re giving the cage a good cleaning at least once a week – twice a week if you’ve got them in aquariums. Otherwise, not only do they stink, but your rats are in danger of getting respiratory infections (got 3 female black and white fancy rats, myself). If you start enticing them out with treats, you can start getting them socialized, and they’ll love to climb all over your arms.
Also, be SURE to separate your males and females if you haven’t already. Female rats go into heat every 5 days or so, and can get pregnant as early as 6 weeks old. By 3 weeks the males testicles should be easily visible.