I got a new rat!

**Lew** · 24-03-2007, 20:22

I went into my local branch of Pets At Home to get a new cage for Merry and Pippin yesterday and wandered over to look at the rats (with no intention of buying any, btw). Next to the tank was a sign regarding a rat who was free to a good home as he'd been treated for a respiratory infection but had been left with a head tilt and balance problems. What could I do? I asked to see him and fell instantly in love with the little boy so I took him home with me to live with Merry and Pippin in their new cage. He's now called Bilbo to continue the hobbit theme.

Here are a few pics:

A lovely smiley pic.

**Lew** · 24-03-2007, 20:22

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦and a pic of the new cage.

smucks · 24-03-2007, 20:26

A very nice rat too, I love em but my spouse who must be obayed does not and so I can not have em.

tick · 24-03-2007, 20:30

Very nice my grandaughter has two

**Russ** · 24-03-2007, 20:31

If ever there was an evil looking rat, it's the bottom pic...

**Lew** · 24-03-2007, 20:54

Just a bad camera angle. All rats faces look evil from the top due to the angle of the eyes. Merry's actually an old softy.

greencreeper · 24-03-2007, 21:30

Terrible. Just because he's a tad disabled doesn't make him any less a rat, or any less loveable. We once looked after a baby canary - had a habit of ending up on its back, where it would "cheep" for assistance

Very cute, bless. Lovely eyes. And the tails - didn't realise they were so thick and long! And the house - definite des res there.

**Lew** · 24-03-2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Terrible. Just because he's a tad disabled doesn't make him any less a rat, or any less loveable. We once looked after a baby canary - had a habit of ending up on its back, where it would "cheep" for assistance

I think that by law they're required to give him away for free. I don't think pet shops are allowed to sell non-healthy animals. Doesn't bother me, I'm a sucker for hard luck cases.

Quote:

Very cute, bless. Lovely eyes. And the tails - didn't realise they were so thick and long! And the house - definite des res there.

You want a thick tail? Here's a pic of Sam (all 725g of him). The others' tails are like spaghetti compared to his.

greencreeper · 24-03-2007, 21:53

Crikey! I don't think they're prehensile so what do they use them for - balance? And what's the award for - being a big chap?

Druchii · 24-03-2007, 22:02

Cute!!!

We have a pet rat named Roland... For some reason, odd name i know. But they're so cute! Completely different from the wild menaces you hear about

**Lew** · 24-03-2007, 22:03

They're prehensile to a certain point. Sam can get a good grip on a finger with the tip of his tail. They're mostly used for balance and regulating body temperature though.

The award was for being the best example of his variety at that particular show (and he was far from being the largest rat at the show).

Jules · 24-03-2007, 22:06

He is gorgeous!

greencreeper · 24-03-2007, 22:35

Clearly Druchii has never heard of Roland Rat

Regulating body temperature, Lew?? Sort of like a radiator

Varieties of rat?? I thought there were just brown and black ones and that was it? What variety is Sam then, and what qualities make him a top rat?

It's interesting is this

My dad breeds and shows birds - complex hobby. Never thought a similar thing would exist for rats though.

danielf · 24-03-2007, 22:42

Perhaps it's just me, but it looks like Bilbo has a slight head tilt?

Jules · 24-03-2007, 22:43

Lol That is one of the reasons he got him, he explains it in his first post