The Gambian pouched rat, native to Sub-Saharan Africa, has been banned from import into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided more details.
Some states still permit pet ownership when acquired from U.S. breeders. While most people know them as domestic rats, these rodents have cheek pouches similar to hamsters which allow them to store food. Even though these animals are bred for the pet trade in captivity, they can sometimes be hard to tame.
Gambian pouched rats make great pets; however, they require daily handling from an early age in order to remain tame and are also in need of a spacious enclosure for exercise and have a somewhat complex diet due to a lack of commercial foods specifically made for them. In general, this rodent requires someone knowledgeable and dedicated to keep as an owner.
Gambian Pouched Rat Behavior and Temperament
Temperament can vary among Gambian pouched rats, with some being more cooperative than others when it comes to training them as pets. Some will remain skittish or aggressive even with regular handling; others can become gentle over time with regular handling sessions – some even prefer belly rubs!
Gambian pouched rats often go through a biting phase when playing and require gentle training to stop this behavior. A firm “no” or loud “ouch,” followed by immediate end to playtime if necessary will do the trick. They may also grasp you with their mouths–without biting!–to try to push you away if something bothers them; respect this as their form of communication; however if their hold ever becomes painful give a “no” or loud “ouch,” and reintroduce playtime as quickly as possible! While some prefer being held and cuddled others will shy away; all are friendly individuals that form strong bonds with those caring for them over time!
Rats are social animals, making them suitable to be kept either alone or in small groups. Male rats may become territorial and aggressive around sexual maturity; once settled down with time and patience they usually return to calm behavior. Two males should never be housed together due to likely fighting; two females can usually coexist well when raised from young. Spayed/neutered males and females can live peacefully together. Furthermore, it’s best to keep these rodents away from any other pets in your household as their bite could injure each other or cause bite injuries on other members of their species.
Expect to spend most of each day caring for your Gambian pouched rats–socializing, feeding and keeping its habitat clean. Since these rodents are nocturnal, you will most likely spend time socializing with them at nighttime. Furthermore, some owners are unprepared for the destructive abilities of Gambian pouched rats; like all rodents they need to chew; with large teeth they can quickly chew through anything left lying around if unsupervised outside their cages. However, these pets tend to remain relatively silent pets overall though they do occasionally make some chirping noises from time to time.