Rat Teen Troubles

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Dublin and Jinx feigning innocence

Yes, it’s true - rats can have hormonal mood swings and teenage angst too!
My youngest two rats have been doing a lot of posturing and having increasing skirmishes.
Jinx has been a complete bully to poor laid back Dublin, by chasing him off the fresh food I put in the cage. I’m not intervening, because Dublin certainly doesn’t look underfed - in fact he’s the bigger of the two rats. It doesn’t help that Stripe has found a way to climb up their cage and agitates them both to distraction, if I don’t get there fast enough!

I’ve had to improvise a makeshift wall to seal off the cage from climbing rats, especially after Jinx discovered he could scale the cage too.

Last week, Jinx attacked Dublin for a dog biscuit, and chased him across the room. Half way along, Dublin changed direction, and ran straight up to my shoulder for protection!!

Stripe, Shy-Shy and Pip are still the best of mates. Pip tells them off if they get out of line, but he’s a fair boss. It still seems strange without their brother Rocky - the cage seems quieter with only the three of them.
Here’s some recent shots of them:

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is my cheesy wedge!

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it tickles

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hi!

Today my lovely rats have been mostly eating sunflower seeds