Am I a wuss?

Painted · Post by **Painted** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:39 pm

I have decided after getting a snake and trying to feed it mice, I don't like the idea. I am giving it away or sticking it in the wild. I can't stand the fact of feeding it live mice. Or frozen mice for that fact. The fact that they killed it just to feed my snake makes me sick, especially since they are just babies. Since I bought a cage and all that I am getting another type of pet. I don't know yet, but I am open to ideas. Nothing that eats lives things unless it is insects. I want something I can hold.

mudflap · Post by **mudflap** » Wed May 18, 2005 11:24 pm

kitten!

Post by **bio** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:30 am

gila monsters are pretty spiffy!

They're so cute when they chew on your fingers!

Painted · Post by **Painted** » Thu May 19, 2005 6:54 am

I already have a kitten and my mom would freak if she saw the gila monster thingy...I think I am shooting more for a rodent.

Encap · Post by **Encap** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:18 am

Welcome to my world...

I have moral issues with that as well. Go with the Gila monsters. They're vegetarians.

Pigman · Post by **Pigman** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:57 am

Painted wrote:I already have a kitten and my mom would freak if she saw the gila monster thingy...I think I am shooting more for a rodent.

My kids had a pair of brown hooded RATS... I grew to like them very much. Very friendly, like attention, eat damn near everything/anything.

Keep the cage CLEAN / and the best cage is a 10 or 20 gal glass aquarium.

I was surprised about how many people enjoy a *pet* rat...

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

Rats as Pets

Rats are clean, intelligent, affectionate animals which bond to their human companions in much the same way that dogs do, and with the right care should provide a comparable level of companionship. They are the same species as the wild brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, but have been selectively bred for looks and temperament for at least the last century and are now quite different in temperament from their ancestors. They are far less aggressive towards humans and rival rats, and display a number of behavioural differences from wild rats, which have been noted by researchers.

Rats become very attached to their owners, make playful, sensitive pets, and can be taught to come by name and learn a variety of tricks. Unlike many other rodents, however, rats are a fairly high maintenance pet. They need at least an hour's playtime outside their cage every day. Because they are much more intelligent than many other small animals, rats can suffer greatly if not given enough attention, free-range time, and environmental stimulation. While rats are extremely rewarding pets and will repay any attention and affection you give them a thousand fold, they may not be suitable for everyone; if you cannot guarantee to give your rats at least an hour of quality time every day, then perhaps a lower maintenance pet would be more suitable.

mudflap · Post by **mudflap** » Thu May 19, 2005 12:05 pm

I had rats as pets when I was a kid - very friendly, love to snuggle and they are quite clean animals.

Post by **bio** » Thu May 19, 2005 1:15 pm

I had a rat as well. I got it because I was working on someone's computer and he offered it to me. I said no at first, then he said.... oh well, I guess I better feed it to the snake.

He held it over his snake cage my resolve failed.

I named him Bickerstaff after one of my professers at college.

Pigman · Post by **Pigman** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:48 pm

The ONLY problem with rats is that they really don't live very long. About 2 years is the norm. I had one named "Mikey" and the cool thing was his fingers. I tried to teach him to flip the bird with his middle finger..

I always thought he could do it! I used to let him go out on the town with me in my vest pocket. Got thrown out of hamburger bar in England once when I held a "CHIP" (french fry for you yanks), up to my chest and Mikey's little hand came out and grabbed the chip and with both hands fed it down his gob (mouth).

bugfreezer · Post by **bugfreezer** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:12 pm

Encap wrote:Welcome to my world...

I have moral issues with that as well. Go with the Gila monsters. They're vegetarians.

Say WHAT?

Gila monsters are toxic and use that toxin to overcome their prey. Read more...

Pigman · Post by **Pigman** » Fri May 20, 2005 5:17 am

GET EM BUG MAN!~

Painted · Post by **Painted** » Fri May 20, 2005 6:55 am

I thought they looked a little to colorful.

Any way I have made up my mine. Pet rat it is. I was thinking about getting to of them. Can you put two rats of the same species in a cage with them fighting?

Pigman · Post by **Pigman** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:24 am

yes to 2 rats in one cage .. IF they are from the same litter and sex... BIG mistake to get a boy and a girl .. you know what they could get up to

I had best sucess with 2 boy Rats... get em at the same time from a place where they are already used to each other (like any pet store). Get plenty of wood shavings as you need to COMPLETELY clean the cage every so often and if your lucky they will only pee or crap in one corner of their cage and you need to clean that out DAILY!

They will drink from a water bottle and need something in their cage to play with... like a plastic house or stuff to climb on. You will need to handle them daily (NO CATS / KITTENS in the room when you do this).

My rats would sit on my shoulders when I sat on the computer and watch me type and NEVER shit or pee'd on me!

baldy · Post by **baldy** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:24 am

Painted wrote:I thought they looked a little to colorful. Any way I have made up my mine. Pet rat it is. I was thinking about getting to of them. Can you put two rats of the same species in a cage with them fighting?

He He He can you say Luuuurve wrastling?

Painted · Post by **Painted** » Fri May 20, 2005 8:47 am

Hehe...that would be kinda interesting.