Minor aggression from one of my rats

Question
I have four male dumbo rats, bought from a reputable pet
store in UK about 2 months ago. I would estimate them at
around 4 months old.  They were together in the pet store
and are now housed together.

All four are extremely friendly, and have bonded well with
myself and my 10 year old daughter.  They never bite and
are affectionate.

However, recently I have noticed that one appears a little
more aggressive towards his cage-mates.  They all wrestle
from time to time, but he 'attacks' more than the others,
seems responsible for nibbling the others' ears, drawing
blood on the tips, and in the case of one, seems to be
responsible for a certain amount of fur-loss.  There are no
real injuries, apart from the ears (which heal quickly),
and he poses no problems to us humans.  He does also seem
to be responsible for a lot of squeaking from the others,
and when I separate him for a time in his exercise ball,
they seem to relax!

I am reluctant to house him separately as they all sleep
(apparently) happily together, and he obviously needs the
company that he is used to.

Do you have any advice?

Thank you

Nigel

Answer

Hi Nigel

Sounds like you have an alpha male there, which is normal for an intact male when you have a colony of more than 2 males.  Usually two males get along fine but the more males you have the more the need is for an alpha male.

When do the rats all get out to play and where do they play at? This is very important when it comes to harmony in a male colony.  Please let me know about this.

Usually I suggest to allow them to play in a safe area designated for rats.  I use a cardboard wall as the way to make a huge rattie play pen on the floor and add their cage and lots of toys to stimulate them during their play time out. I always supervise them but also use this time to clean things in the cage etc...

Playing free is alot better than an exercise ball that usually I do not approve the use of since the rat is confined and cannot interact with anything.  usually the motion of the ball is caused by the panic of the animal trying to get out, not because the animal enjoys movement.  How fun is it to move and not be able to touch or explore anything?

I would try more activities with him to burn off extra energy, or you can perhaps divide the colony into twos, and allow them to interact all together during play time out but live with them in pairs instead. Even for the time being to see if it helps.