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My rats tail wags2007-11-24 22:12:59

As strange as it sounds, the end of the little guy's tail wags when I hold him down and stroke him.

Anybody else have a rat that can do that?

Plus, could it be nerve damaged? I've never picked him up or caught him by the tail.

Answers:

Yes, I've had several rats that wag their tails, but by comparison I've had over 200 rats so far, so I've been able to see this a lot.

No, it's not nerve damage :) It has to do with a rat's state of mind. Like cats, some rats wag their tails in a mischievous manner just before they pounce on something, like their cage mate, or your hand. They wag their tails when they are aggitated, aggressive, terrified, nervous, or happy.

http://www.ratbehavior.org/whatismyratdo...

http://www.ratbehavior.org/glossary.htm#...

http://www.rattyrat.com/guidebook/langua...

The marvalous ratty tail

http://www.ratbehavior.org/rattails.htm...

I would say from his body language that your little guy's tail-wagging has everything to do with sheer contentment.

Since the rat uses it's tail for so many things; expressing it's mood, balance, temperature regulation, etc., it is a good idea to respect this appendage and not pick your rats up by the tail. Degloving, the result of pulling the skin off the tail, is very painful and could mean amputatation of the tail.

http://ratguide.com/health/wounds/deglov...

spazrats

"my life has gone to the rats"

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my friend has a rat and I did that and it wagged too. I'm not sure but i dont think it has any dieseas or anything.

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He's a happy rat!!!

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Mine do to! it can either be a sign of contentment or agitation. all three of mine do it.

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I have a large male that does it as well. An unusal quirky thing but not a need for concern.

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No. Your rat is perfectly fine. In fact, activity of the tail means he's healthy and strong. Since he "wags" it when you pet him, that means he loves you and that he feels comfortable with you. I have a rat that does that, too. His name is Oreo, and whenever I scritch him behind the ears he wiggles his tail. I wouldn't worry about it at all. :) And good for you! You should NEVER pick your pet rat up by the tail.