Need advice - to buy or not to buy a rat.

Greetings. I need some advice before I make a decision to buy a rat
or not. I have been doing some research on the net and also
newsgroups about the sleeping habits of rats. Most say that rats are
nocturnal but others say that they can be trained to fit their owner's
schedule. How easy is this if possible? Also, how much noise do rats
make at night? I go to bed around 1am and I am a very picky sleeper.
I am thinking about using an aquarium (I read about the concerns using
this) so that the noise can be reduced – is there a way to sound proof
this (I know that the top needs to have a cover that lets air in and
out) ? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

> Greetings. I need some advice before I make a decision to buy a rat
> or not. I have been doing some research on the net and also
> newsgroups about the sleeping habits of rats. Most say that rats are
> nocturnal but others say that they can be trained to fit their owner's
> schedule. How easy is this if possible? Also, how much noise do rats
> make at night? I go to bed around 1am and I am a very picky sleeper.
> I am thinking about using an aquarium (I read about the concerns using
> this) so that the noise can be reduced - is there a way to sound proof
> this (I know that the top needs to have a cover that lets air in and
> out) ? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

As everyone else said, get at least two rather than one. Two has the advantage
of happier, longer lived rats. The space needed for two is the same as one, and
you still need to clean them out once a week, as you do with one rat. The best
bit is that two are far more enjoyable than one as they play with each other
(and you can watch, or even join in!). As your rats always have someone else to
play with, you do not need to give them as much attention as you would if you
had just one, so it's more enjoyment for less responsibility! I stupidly got
just one rat and am getting a friend or two for it soon. It takes a while
introducing new rats so it's much better to get your rats in one go - they'll
definately like each other.

In terms of sleeping, rats tend to go to bed quite late if left to their own
devices, but my rat normally goes to bed when I do (which is around 1am like
you - are you a student?). Occasionally she'll patter about, or make her bed
(there's a bit of rustling when she's using newspaper for bedding) but this
doesn't go on for long. The noise is not too bad because she's normally awake
for most of the day, and sleeps at night (well, she retires very late but sleeps
until I get up). She's never woken me up or made noise at horrible hours of the
morning if that's what your concerned about.

The great thing about rats is that they need no training to fit your schedule -
if you're up and doing something interesting, so is the rat! I only need to
think about making myself some lunch before I see a little pointy nose peering
down from the top of the wardrobe or poking out of it's bedding.

Go with everyone elses advice and get a wire cage. They're a lot, lot, LOT
better for the rats. I have an aquarium for my rat to stay in when I'm home for
Christmas and they're just pants. Get a cage with white plastic over the
wires - I think they're called powder coated (am I right guys?)

Mark.