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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 16, 2006 16:59:55 GMT -4
so....do rats ever establish the pecking order and just MOVE ON?  I was hoping it was like with lions or wolves...that for a spell, once the alpha was determined, that thinks would settle down. Jeez these boys tussle an awful lot! Maybe not too much for ratties, but still...I thought they would have sorted it out by now, but maybe ratties don't operate that way Linda |
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Post by Hamsters82 on Dec 16, 2006 17:31:36 GMT -4
Some animals do stop once a heirarchy is established, but some still try to fight to gain better dominance or to get in the higher up area. Maybe that's like with your rats. Hope they get it settled. They're not hurting each other are they?
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 16, 2006 17:38:06 GMT -4
yes and no...Hugh (of course) sometimes gets too rough but he does stop when Locutus squeeks. No wounds or anything.
linda
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Post by Hamsters82 on Dec 16, 2006 17:47:02 GMT -4
Well at least they're not bleeding. Could it just be that Hugh likes to pick on Locutus? I know Theo would always go after Benny, even though Benny kept submitting herself to Theo (our dwarf hamsters).
And how did you get Locutus' name?
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Dec 16, 2006 20:41:42 GMT -4
Do a board Search for "Locutus". There is a hilarious thread up with photos that answers your question.
If you watched Star Trek you'd already know - he was a major character at the center of perhaps the best series of ST/NG episodes.
And they were very compelling - not boring.
As for rats, dwarf hamsters squabble a lot, noisily. But with zero nips or bites or blood. So maybe rats are sort of similar. I see a lot of wrestling among the guys (5-6 weeks old) myself.
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 16, 2006 21:46:48 GMT -4
The "other" Locutus:  My Locutus:  I"m such a geek! Linda ;D |
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Post by adoptaratcanada on Dec 16, 2006 21:52:51 GMT -4
It started with Locutus being the bigger rat, and Hugh getting beat up on. Now that Hugh has caught up in size (and is a much more solid than Loc.) he's being the aggressor most of the time. Well...actually all the time as of several days ago. Locutus has been doing some very submissive behaviours.
Whereas Loc. used to do more "wrestling" or play fighting I'd call it, Hugh definitely means business.
It makes me kinda whistful when they seem to have an agenda beside just playing.
Linda
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Dec 16, 2006 22:21:13 GMT -4
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Post by Die Fledermaus on Dec 16, 2006 22:22:29 GMT -4
Just be sure they have adequate room, and toys to keep them occupied and stimulated, and watch out for actual blood.
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I was hoping it was like with lions or wolves...that for a spell, once the alpha was determined, that thinks would settle down. Jeez these boys tussle an awful lot! Maybe not too much for ratties, but still...I thought they would have sorted it out by now, but maybe ratties don't operate that way 
