My Sweet Till

They each have their own idiosyncrasies.

Stereotypically-with the caveat that every rat is an individual and prone to their own quirks:

Males: Lazy, snuggly, as adults more territorial against other new adult males, bigger piddle makers, a bit stinkier. Occasionally prone to hormonal aggression which is often fixable by neutering.

Females: Very active and silly. Quicker to learn tricks. Bigger chewers. Less stinky. Prone to mammary tumors, which can be all but eliminated by early spaying. More appealing to non-rat owners because they don't have big garbanzos hanging off their bums.

I have owned nothing but boys, and have no plans to ever own girls. I like my big lazy squishy luv muffins. The odor issues are not bad to my nose and is controlled further by feeding them olive oil once a week and keeping them on a healthy balanced diet.

The scent marking they do is not nearly as bad as the mice I had, so it's not a big deal to me.

I have had problems with two poorly bred hairless rats having minor hormonal aggression issues, but I found a good vet who neutered cheaply ($35 dollars each) and it seems to have solved the problem. I could have avoided the problem completely by getting my naked rats from a reputable breeder who screened better against aggression.

I also had issues with integrating my current six boys because of the hairless rats' temperaments, but with patience and no pushing, and providing a huge cage to prevent overcrowding, after 30 days of work I have been able to house them together amicably.

I have 4 girls and while I love them,they are more interested in playing and exploring and running around then being up with me. Bronagh and Amherst are the two more independent girls,while Summer & Caoimhe will tolerate being loved on a bit longer,before they wanna get down and join the other girls.

All rats have their own personality...I have had lazy females and active boys in the past too. But generally males are lazy,lap rats and females are active,adventure seekers.

I am happy to say,that even though tumors are common in female rats...in the over 10+ years I had rats,I only ever had ONE rat with tumors. Respiratory illness is much more common IMO (at least in MY experience) and I have had RI,lice,mites,one case of "bumblefoot" and a few abscesses....so I feel sort of lucky. I mean,I ALWAYS hear of people with rats needing surgery for tumors and I count myself lucky for rarely having to deal with them.

And as for "goolies","baubles" or whatever else you wish to call them...they don't bother me. I don't neuter my rats and would only neuter one if there was severe hormonal aggression,which none of my rats have with me. Some of the boys don't like each other,but they don't live together...I just have to make sure they are not out during free range time. And scent marking...well don't bother me,that is why we have soap and water...

I will take my big,squishy males over females any day.