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I've kept fancy rats for almost ten years, although I had my first one eighteen years ago. I'll add some pics of them as time permits. Meanwhile...
Click here for my guide book for rats... with a big thank you to the following members of the Goosemoose Rats Rule! forum:
Update 22/09/2008 (pics will follow - having probs with my camera lately):
I've had my four boys for a month now, and they've settled in well. They have proper names now - Chestnut, Chip, Sprocket and Dunk. They are approximately 20 weeks old and have all gained about 50g in weight since being with me. They're very active and love climbing! They are all still a bit freaked out by loud or unexpected noises, but come readily for treats and like playing out on the table the cage is on. Chestnut and Dunk are getting the hang of getting some momma-love, nestling down for scritchies after a hard evening's exploring. They don't always, and they don't always stay still, but they're learning that it's really quite a nice thing. Chip is a little explorer, and likes to chase your hands around.
Sprocket has been a troublesome boy. He's been very aggressive, both to me, one of my friends, and a couple of the other boys. For me and my friend, this resulted in two nasty bites each (on the finger/knuckle), at separate times. It was a lot more than an over-enthusiastic nibble, but clearly plain aggression. I've been working on his attitude (and he's been working on mine!) and we're making great progress together. He hasn't broken skin since although his nibbles can still be a little too potent and I can freak him out by accidentally touching him in a way which, to rats, says 'I want to pick a fight with you'. I think, to be honest, that we'll become very good friends. I'm very proud of him and his progress, especially in such a short space of time.
Additions: The table now has a spotty, plasticy table-cloth, as the blue cotton one was getting chewed and peed on! I made the rats lots of 'duvets' from scrap cotton fabric (about 7" x 8") filled with wadding, a han-made hammock made out of some old jeans and a square basket thing which they love to snuggle up in when it's 'out time'. I bought them some ping-pong balls and they love to move them from place to place. I was very impressed to find one of the duvets move from inside the little house to the very top shelf - how did they do it? - and one of the ping-pong balls on the middle shelf.
23/08/2008: Andrew of the RSPCA kindly brought the four boys for me as I was unable to get to the centre. This morning they were introduced to their new forever home... I have three red-eyed and one ruby-eyed hoodeds. For now, they are called Chestnut, Thimble, Mimble and Bimble.
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15/08/2008: I'm preparing to welcome four boys from the East Kent RSPCA. Here's my cage set-up (click for larger images):
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