Why Do Rats Nibble?
WouterYou may be asking yourself, “Why do rats nibble?” Most often, the behavior is caused by fear. In their natural environment, rats are low on the food chain and their first instinct is to defend themselves. This fear may be either biological or learned. Either way, you can help your rat stop biting by determining what triggers its fear and finding a way to calm it down.
Aggressive bites are usually the result of a rat trying to establish its dominance. These attacks are more common during times of change in the hierarchy or when the animal feels threatened. Hormonal imbalances or testosterone surges may also cause a rat to become aggressive. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to address the issue immediately.
Rats can bite a variety of things, including your hands and fingers. These bites are forceful but are not intended to break skin. Young rats tend to do this more often than adults. Although it is common for rats to bite humans, it is important to remember that they are only nibbling and aren’t biting a true bite. If you notice your rat nibbling, you should take action right away. Pick it up carefully and tell it no. You can also try applying a mint-scented hand cream on the bitten area. Unlike dog-biting, this bite won’t hurt your rat, so it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t pick it up too rough.
Gnawing helps rodents explore their environment. They can also make holes bigger by gnawing. The success of their gnawing depends on the hardness of their teeth and jaws. Rats and mice have teeth about the same hardness as human finger nails. By comparison, human finger nails are 2.5 on the Mohs scale, while copper penny is 3.5 and diamond is 10 on the scale.
