Calling all pet rats owners!

[purplegothchick]

I have a pair of Dumbo rats and they've been with me about 18 months. Now, rats have this reputation for being really intelligent creatures, but mine aren't. Plain and simple. They're actually a bit stupid. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em to death, but they are stupid. For example, I will be holding food out for them and they ignore it, thinking that I'm holding it elsewhere, or one of them will walk around on my couch, climb up on the arm but venture out too far and end up hanging from the arm by her back legs! She never learns from the experience either.

Has anybody else had this experience with rats in general (not just Dumbos) or are mine the anomaly?

 

[Antidamacus]

Rats have very poor vision and usually work on smell and their whiskers to move and such.

 

[purplegothchick]

Yeah I know, but I really do think that mine are just stupid lol. They never learn from their mistakes! Bless them...

 

[Daniel Cygnus]

I had a mouse a few years back. He was incredibly smart, if you ask me. When I got an add on for his habitat, he'd explore it bit by bit and he'd only continue if he knew it was safe. He'd also fill in the doors in his wooden house with the stuff that was on the floor. (sort of like soft wood chips.) I sort of wish their life spans were longer, though. He lived for a year.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I have a weasel. My brother has a rat and they get along pretty well.

 

[purplegothchick]

Mine also hate the laminate floor. We put it down a few months ago and they refuse to walk on it. When we had carpet they'd run all around the living room exploring and having some rat-like fun. Now they won't come out, we have to pick them up and put them on the couch instead.