|
Post by jackalheadrats on Mar 20, 2009 11:16:26 GMT 10
Thanks.
We actually have 2 types of Siamese and 2 types of Himalayan here.
Most of our colours that the pedigree breeders work with were the result of an import from the US 3 years ago. With the US import, we got Siamese and Himalayan. They're quite pale and have pink eyes.
Our local Siam and Himi varieties, which we call Sable Siamese and Sable Himalayan, are usually smaller, much darker and have dark ruby eyes. The genes for both types are compatible, but if you add the Black-eyed gene, only the pink-eyed variety gets black eyes. The Sables keep their ruby eyes. Is quite odd.
|
|
|
Post by Lioness (Zoey) on Mar 30, 2009 22:33:11 GMT 10
Hi, my name is Zoey and I'm living in Melbourne again after spending two years in Canada. I just moved in with Christie, another forum member, whom I've known since we were 13. I just got my first little ratty girl, a pretty agouti named Pepper. The hunt is on to find a friend for her! I don't know a whole lot about rats, but Christie is telling me what I need, and what I need to do, etc. As for other stuff... I'm a glass artist, but until I have a kiln again I can't really do much. Bit of a computer geek, bit reclusive, love a good book and most kinds of music. So, um, that's me. Hi.
|
|
|
Post by wulfyskingdom on Mar 31, 2009 20:01:26 GMT 10
Hi Zoey & welcome Pepper sounds like a very nice name for a 'gouti girl What type of things do you make with the glass? I saw glass blowing in Venice - that was cool
|
|
|
Post by Lioness (Zoey) on Mar 31, 2009 20:39:20 GMT 10
Thank you. I added two more little girls to the mix today - I went to get Pepper a friend but they had two girls, and I couldn't leave one all on her own in the store. Cookie is white, hooded with a tan type colour and Bonny is (as near as we can tell) champagne. I'm amazed at the change in Pepper when we introduced her to the other two - She spent all day and last night hiding in her little house, but today when we introduced them all she was like a completely different rat. She was falling over herself trying to make friends, and the other two seemed to reciprocate. Very pleased as they all seem quite happy. And Bonny is a total shirt-diver - she's quite content to sit in my shirt with her little whiskers poking out... So cute! I do lampwork beads - melting and shaping glass in a flame - and some kiln work. Pendants, ear rings, small bowls and stuff like that. Can't wait to get my kiln back! I am hanging to learn to blow glass, but it's such an expensive hobby. Eek! I would love to visit Venice... It would just be amazing, I reckon. Definitely at the top of my travel list.
|
|
|
Post by christie on Mar 31, 2009 21:53:25 GMT 10
Yay Hi Zoey.
Yeah i too couldn't believe the change in pepper either. I knew that rat's really need to have a friend (or more than one) but i never realised how badly until i saw the change in her. It was instant and so good to see.
|
|
|
Post by Lioness (Zoey) on Apr 1, 2009 9:52:43 GMT 10
Mm, Pepper's definitely the boss lady.
|
|
|
Post by wulfyskingdom on Apr 1, 2009 19:36:51 GMT 10
That sounds pretty cool, if you have any pics of ur artwork please feel free to share I highly recommend venice, i found it much nicer than paris
|
|
Julia
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by Julia on Apr 1, 2009 21:14:20 GMT 10
Hi, I'm Julia. I'd been musing with the idea of getting a rat for around 5 years before I changed my mind and got into mice instead. I'd always perceived rats as being a bit scary and my encounters with them have never been positive. The first rat I ever saw was one that my cat caught when we were living on a rural property. My cat was walking casually by with the rat in his mouth and since I couldn't bear seeing him (or knowing that he was about to kill) a small animal, I donned some thick, leather gardening gloves and promptly released the rat. The cat let go without any fuss and the rat seemed unhurt, though rather shaken. Though she (it didn't appear to have any boy bits) tried to bite me, she only managed to pierce the glove and gave me quite a fright in the process. After that, the only other rats I saw were in pet shops. And when people (myself included - naughty me) stuck their fingers in or on their cages, they would rush up and always bite - kind of like the sign over their cage suggests they will So other than under these circumstances, I've never actually met a rat. You may wonder why I still have an interest, and the simple answer is: I like dogs and dog training. Over the past 6 years, it has been impracticable for me to keep a dog, but a guy who trained his rats told me, many, many years ago, that rats were as smart as dogs and that is what piqued my interest in the first place. After I got my mice I thought I was over idea of keeping rats but hearing so much about them on mouse/rat forums and reading articles like this one about land mine-detecting rats has aroused my curiosity once again.
|
|
gemma
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by gemma on Apr 5, 2009 14:38:28 GMT 10
I think I'll give this a go!!
Hey everyone, I'm obviously new to the site but so far I'm loving it!! I first got into rats when i went to the Royal Melbourne Show and they were handing around rats to stroke. I begged and pleaded my parents until they finally caved! Now i am the proud owner of two beautiful boys!
I've learned to never ever trust pet store workers because they convince you its a boy and you think your bringing home a little brother for your first male rat. By then its too late.
My friend has rats as well so we have our own little rat club! (Immature, i know, but its so much fun!!)
|
|
|
Post by christie on Apr 5, 2009 15:42:08 GMT 10
Hiya and welcome. I agree don't trust pet shop peoples, they don't know much at all about the animals they are selling. It really shits me.
|
|
|
Post by missdownunder13 on May 2, 2009 19:59:04 GMT 10
HI, i joined this forum less than half- an hour ago so im still fairly confused. Ive only ever owned 2 rats whom were both sisters named Ebony and Akira sadly about a month ago Ebony passed away (unknown). about a month after their 2nd birthday. (I am saving my money for a Martins cage so i can get either 2 males and a female or 2 females) I'm 15 years old and Live in the southern suburbs of Adelaide SA, and a very proud Australian. I am in year 10 and go to a Agricultural school as I'm very fond of animals and the environment, my goal is to work in a zoo or have my own Dairy farm. I play soccer and Tennis with a load of passion, i fear spiders, snakes, injections, jumping from heights into water, big dogs (my family owns a Maltese Shitzu cross and a Maltese Chihuahua cross) and i also fear my own imagination at some points. so that all about me
|
|
|
Post by christie on May 2, 2009 20:11:01 GMT 10
Hello and welcome. Sorry to hear about your Ebony passing
|
|
maesie
Aussie Rat Owner
I pee, therefore I am!
Posts: 115
|
Post by maesie on May 10, 2009 0:25:17 GMT 10
Hi all... as you can see I'm a fresh newbie here. I've just turned 30, live with my two rattie girls and my two reptilian boys in a victorian town near Melbourne. I'm a Bookbinder by trade and enjoy all things crafty. I love my small cactus/succulant garden, love spending time on the computer/net and LOVE my animals. Albert is my Central Beaded Dragon, Wilbur is my Central Netted Dragon, and Daisy and Milli are my beautiful rats. A bizare combination ... maybe, but the only live food my boys get are meal worms and crickets!!! I'm only new to owning rats, a few months, but did have mice as a youngster. Living in a unit does not allow for a dog or cat, and upon reading a lot about rats, they seemed like the perfect companion for me. My girls give me so much love and are great little 'kids' to keep me busy. That's about it from me... I look forward to getting to know you all. Cheers maesie xo
|
|
|
Post by Kim on May 10, 2009 9:40:11 GMT 10
Welcome to the forum. I want to get some geckos but I have 3 devon rex cats, a nearly 10 year old chihuahua who is going blind and 80 rats, so my hubby wont let me get geckos at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by christie on May 10, 2009 10:39:21 GMT 10
Welcome Maesie good to have you around. That is an interesting mix of animals you have their. If i could have my way i would have a heap of different animals to. My boyfriend is wanting to get scorpions so soonish we will have them in the house to. Haha and Kim the trick would be to make the Hubby think that its HIM that wants to get the geckos and not you, then you'll be fine
|
|