Rats really are one of the best pets you can get, it's such a shame they have such small lifespans... My condolences.
this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2023
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Thanks. Yeah the small lifespans is what ultimately got us to stop having rats. They are so smart and have great personalities it’s hard to say goodbye so soon!
You may want to consider a Gambian pouched rat, they live significantly longer, 5-7 years (but are more difficult in many ways)
They're also hugeee
Omg i would LOVE a Gambian pouch rat! They are so cool. I was sad when Magawa passed away last year. I think we will stick with the dog for now since we are planning on spending the next couple of years on a sailboat but maybe one day I’ll be able to convince my husband to go for some fun pets like that. Honestly my dream would be to have a few capybaras but they come with their own challenges and I’m not sure I would ever be able to provide the perfect living conditions for them! Maybe I’ll get to have some pigs one day 😁
I'd try to live by the hotsprings capybaras enjoy instead of owning them, they aren't easy, but I wish you luck in your endeavors!
I have another recommendation that might... float your boat...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUc4SEl4XeU
Much easier than rats, with all the interaction, and they live 7 years, and stay small, you can also easily have a community of them!
Can I ask…what is your profession? You seem to have an extensive knowledge on exotic animals, which is awesome! These emerald tree skinks are adorable! I am also incredible jealous that you live near wild capybaras. I have only seen them in a zoo once but had a children’s book that featured a capybara when I was a kid and have loved them ever since!
Oh no, that's a misunderstanding, I do not live near them, I meant to say I want to live near the hotsprings they frequent, but unfortunately that's not possible with my goal of owning a small zoo oneday, I'm jealous of anyone who does too! I'm currently midwest of the US
I actually work in the tech industry, I was essentially forced into a room with nothing but a computer for many years of my childhood and as a result forgot that my dream was to work with exotic animals for a very long time, and now i'm stuck in a profession I hate, honestly.
Working my way through affording herpetology schooling in florida (I feel as though I need a doctorate to do what I want properly, the credentials alone are somewhat necessary for convincing people of things), while studying as much as I can personally in the mean time.
I messaged you. I think it might be worth looking into other locations if you can manage it. I really hope you can achieve your dream job! Herpetologists are cool people.
Awwww, she looks so cute!
My condolences, I'm sure she was a wonderful pet.
Thank you! She was indeed! She was certainly our most cuddly rat too!
I’m half asleep and didn’t upload the photo in the right place the first time. I had been giving her chin scratches until she fell asleep like that. She loved her some scritches!
This rat is perfect; I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you. She was indeed!
What an absolute cutie! I'm sure you gave her an amazing life! I lost a pet a bit over a year ago and it affected me a lot, but I discovered I found great peace in knowing I gave him the best life I possibly could and made his time here wonderful. I'm sure you did the same for Martha ♥
Thank you. We certainly tried to. She passed away a few years ago. Now we just try to remember how wonderful she was and not be sad about not having her around anymore. Same with her cagemates. I’ll probably post some pictures of them at some point too. We no longer have rats but they are amazing pets and I certainly miss having them around. I’m sorry to hear about your pet too! It can take a while when they are such good buddies. I’m glad you understand that you gave him a wonderful life and can take solace from that!
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