Black Woods Rattery
I thought this was interesting and sometimes use it to help pick out my breeders.
The max score is 50 and an average of 4 in each test is ideal. Feel free to copy it and use as you please, originally found it from Scruffian's rattery page.
Test 1: Hand
Put your hand in a limp fist in the rat’s cage and observe what it does.
1. Runs and hides and does not come out, or bites.
2. Ignores you, does not approach.
3. Cautiously sniffs but does not touch your hand, or touches but uses more teeth than you’d like.
4. Touches/sniffs but backs off if you move your hand.
5. Touches/sniffs/licks, does not react in a nervous manner if you move your hand.
Test 2: Scruff
Pick the rat up by the scruff, hold for 5 seconds.
1. Lots of squirming, squeaking and general uncomfortable signs.
2. Less vigorous squirming which may start after a second or 2.
3. Squirms for a second or 2 and then stops and holds still.
4. Holds still.
5. Tucks back feet into tummy, is limp, relaxed, and still.
Test 3: Finger
Poke a finger through the bars of the rat’s cage and observe how the it reacts (skip this if you know you’ll get chomped though!).
1. Biting (not gentle nibbles, actual biting).
2. Runs away/does not engage with you.
3. Runs away at first but then comes back to have a look.
4. Sniffs fingers cautiously.
5. Licks fingers/grabs with paws/gentle mouthing.
Test 4: Upright Hold
Wrap your fingers around the rat’s shoulders and hold it upright with its back feet either dangling or on the palm of your other hand.
1. Vigorous wriggling and trying to get away without giving up.
2. Wriggling, but not as committed to escaping as a 5.
3. Mild wriggling, or stays still for a few seconds but then tries to get away.
4. May wiggle for a few seconds but then stays still.
5. Stays still and relaxed, does not mind what is happening.
Test 5: Lie Back
Hold the rat in two hands and lie them on their backs between your hands with fingers holding them in position.
1. Vigorous wriggling and trying to get away without giving up.
2. Wriggling, but not as committed to escaping as a 5.
3. Mild wriggling, or stays still for a few seconds but then tries to get away.
4. May wiggle for a few seconds but then stays still.
5. Stays still and relaxed, does not mind what is happening.
Test 6: Noise
Clap loudly and watch the rat’s reaction.
1. Jumps, runs around, climbs walls (general panic that does not stop within 10 seconds).
2. Jumps of freezes and then finds a place to hide, does not come out within 30 seconds.
3. Jumps of freezes but recovers when touched, distracted, or reassured.
4. Freezes, but only for a few seconds and recovers without interference.
5. May freeze or pull back for a second but then comes over to investigate.
Test 7: Unfamiliar Area
Place the rat somewhere it hasn’t been before (either in another room of the house or, preferable, outside somewhere you know it will be safe).
1. Jumps, runs around, climbs walls (general panic that does not stop within 30 seconds).
2. Searches out hiding places or huddles in a corner.
3. Becomes clingy, looks to a person or another rat for comfort.
4. Cautiously explores.
5. Confidently explores.
Test 8: Food Manners
Offer the rat a small amount of food (try with both wet and dry food) from your fingers.
1. Bites on purpose (not because it is mistaking your fingers for snacks).
2. Takes the food carelessly biting your fingers in the process, or runs away scared.
3. Sniffs the food but may be too nervous to take it, or snatches and runs.
4. Cautiously, but gently takes the food.
5. Confidently comes up and gently takes the food.
Test 9: New Rats
In a neutral area, introduce the rat to another of the same sex and observe its reaction (to make this a fair test it’s better to try this with a new rat that you know plays nice with others).
1. Attacks or acts extremely aggressively.
2. Puffs up, crab walks, acts defensively but does not actually attack.
3. Runs to a person for comfort, or runs away.
4. Sniffs and then ignores the new rat.
5. Sniffs and takes friendly interest in the new rat.
Test 10: New People
Get someone that the rat has not previously met to handle it. They should try picking it up, patting it, allowing it to sniff their hands etc.
1. Attacks or acts aggressively.
2. Is excessively wary and mistrusting, struggles to get away when held.
3. Acts somewhat wary, wont approach the new person but allows them to pick it up.
4. May be a little wary but allows the person to touch and pick it up without resisting.
5. Sniffs and takes friendly interest in the new person, is relaxed and trusting when picked up.