baby natal rat

Question
My friend had got 2 baby rats to feed her snake... she only gave her snake one and me being an animal lover deiced to rescue the other one. I took it to the pet store and found out it was a natal or soft furred rat. I currently have it in a hamster cage and am feeding it seed, moistened block food as well as some kale leaves and dandelion leaves. The poor thing wont stop shaking! She is eating as far as i know. I wanted to get a second one this week cause i know regular rats do better in pairs. The guy at the pet store when i called said she might not make it if shes too young. She is eating the seed though so I think she is old enough to be on her own. I would just like some input on the situation as well as adding a new rat.

Answer
It does sound like the baby is ready to be on it's own.

Unlike our domestic Norway rats African Soft-furred Rats have not been domesticated long enough to be as tame. If the little one has been bred by a feeder breeder for the soul purpose of being reptile food then she is more like a wild animal then a domestic one. That would explain why she is so frightened of her surroundings.

These guys have gone by many names over the years because science has still not figured out if they belong in the rat family or the mouse family.

On the rat forums I have learned that this species of rat is raised and treated just like our Norways. The biggest problem you might find in getting a companion for her is that you need to put her with another Soft-furred rat. A Norway rat as a potential companion will eventually kill her as Norways cannot live with other species of rodents.

Please join my forum Holistarat to learn more about caring for pet rats.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat

spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com