Rat behaviour

Question
Hi,  I have two neutered albino male rats around 8months old. I have had them for around 5months now. One is a biter, he bites and draws blood whenever I go to pick him up, pat him or I get too close to 'his things'. He has never bitten outside of the cage or when he's on me. Whenever I try to pick my other rat up he backs up right away or freezes completely. For the past couple of months I have given up trying to pick up/hold them because they seem so frightened. Instead I put their cage on the floor for them to come out. When they're out they're curious and will come to me if there is food or if I am really still, otherwise they're hiding/running away. I have never picked them up by the tail and have always been so gentle & soft with them! So how do I get them to like me and not be so scared of me? Thanks, Harriet

Answer
Keep treat and trust training with them. Some rats never take to being handled and simply don't like to be held - it sounds as if your one boy (the biter) is cage territorial, which happens with eyesight compromised rats quite a bit actually. You're doing very well with them though, and good for you for not giving up on them!