How Do Rats Turn on Each Other?
WouterRats are predators, and while they have a tendency to fight with each other, they don’t always fight in the same manner. Some rats will stand up on their hind legs and stare each other down for a few seconds. If you notice this behavior, you should intervene immediately by separating the rats and using a barrier or a water spray. If the fight continues, you should take extra care to prevent injuries to the rats and yourself.
Rats often engage in a pinging game. This type of fighting is not actually aggressive, and is generally only seen in kittens and young rats. Adult rats prefer to sidle towards their victims. Pinging can happen on any part of the victim, but the hindquarters are the most common target. The pouncing is usually broken off quickly. It is very rare that pounces escalate into an aggressive fighting match.
This behavior is natural and occurs when rats are hungry and lack food. In fact, some rats are so desperate for food that they even eat babies. This is one of the evolutionary strategies rats use to cope with stressful situations. While the COVID-19 virus is not contagious, rats can be carriers of dozens of diseases.
Rats communicate with each other through smell. Their noses are a significant part of their communication, as they sniff each other during introductions and interactions. They also use scents to explain their status to newcomers. The scents of feces, urine, and body secretions reveal important information about their status.
