Is "mad dashing" the same as "popcorning"?

[adoptaratcanada]

When I put my hand in the cage to pat the boys, Hugh will come up for a sniff and a pat but then he often runs off, and starts dashing around the cage. Usually he'll dash around for a brief moment, then come back to me, then dash a bit etc, etc. No hopping, as I've seen him do once.

Are the behaviours related? Or his he getting agitated?

Thanks,
linda

[Die Fledermaus]

I haven't seen it with mine. But can't you tell if he looks nervous, frightened or aggressive beyond the dashing about?

I have seen bunnies dash about (sadly, Poppy as she got older stopped doing that), and other critters including cats. But I would not be surprised at all to see happy excited dashing with intelligent rats. I guess if they don't try to hide from you or bite you they are not aggressive!