Guide to keeping rats!!! (wip sorry)

Hello everyone! 

I am a rat owner, currently the leader of six ratties.

If you're thinking about adopting rats here's some things you should know you wont find online OR will find online and be wrong

Rat behavior:

-YOU NEED MORE THAN ONE!!!! they will get lonely and depressed and end up dying WAY earlier than they should. preferably three or more but two will prevent depression.

-If you want your rats to crawl on you you NEED to start picking them up and handling them as soon as possible. If not they will not get used to you holding them, lifting them, or even leaving their little rat house. Some sites say wait two ish weeks to start doing this but do it as soon as you can.

-Some rats will end up being antisocial despite your efforts. Its just their personality and it doesn't mean they don't like you. One of my rats doesn't like being pet or held, but he'll take food out of my hand and will wait for me after I get home from work.

-THEY FIGHT!!! its only a problem if there's blood. They do this to assert territory as in the wild they are pack animals.

-rats a mad smart. they'll learn tricks with food :) 

-rats with nip a little, as in kind of bite you. If it doesn't hurt/barely hurts its them saying they're curious about you and they like you :) if they grab your finger or hand with their teeth and gently pull it means they want your attention 

Your house with rats:

-Get an air purifier. Trust me. This will keep the smells down and your rats will have less dust around to hurt their lungs. 

-If you have ANY other animals please find a separate room for them.

-Keep all wires off the floor, rats like to free roam on the floor :)

-A proper rat cage will be HUGE, I had to move my dresser. I recommend a critter nation :).

General:

-Male rats are more sleepy than female rats !!

-Rats need a lot of stuff to do, and it needs to be rotated regularly. 

-Rat houses should be cleaned at least once a week. 

-male and female rats should NOT be mixed unless you want tons of rat babies 

-rats love scratches behind the ears :)

Rat Food:

-rats like cheerios ! 

-put some baby food in your hand and offer it to them, they'll lick it off your hand and associate your smell with good things