Badger, Jasper and Maxwell

Badger, Jasper and Maxwell were my three male Multimammate rats.  They came to live with me in the summer of 2005. I had spent many years thinking about what other species of rat I would like to keep and really it came down to Multimammates or Black rats. In the end I decided that black rats would be a bigger commitment then I wanted to make at the time and was at a loss as to where to get some Multimammates from, so I just left it for the future.

Then one summer I was working back at a small zoo near home and on my first day, I went into the pets corner and low and behold a tank of Multimammates met my happy eyes! :o) As soon as I could I contacted one of the keepers, who was surprised I knew what they were and I asked her if she had any litters/individuals available and it just so happen that she did. I had the pick of some young adult Agoutis/Agoutis and white and a young litter of Cinnamons/Cinnamons and White.

I decided on a mixture so I took Badger an Agouti, with white on his face, Jasper a Cinnamon self and Maxwell a Cinnamon with a white head spot. They all got on very well , although when I first mixed them the younger two would squeak when ever Badger sniffed them! I have read they are very amicable and never fight, the most that happens is a bit of rear sniffing and posturing and this was certainly my experience.

Badger was the boss, I think that is due to his age/size. He was also the most confident when I first got them, because he had, had more handling. Although he still bit me a few time to begin with but he never drew blood unlike Jasper who really panicked when he was new and sunk his teeth in. Understandable I think, but I will never under estimate how much a small rodent bite can hurt again! Max was the only one who never bit me and was very very sweet.

Even though the boys weren't as cuddly as domestic rats they still gave me a lot of pleasure. I used to love watching them in mornings when I had to get up early for college and they liked sharing my cereal with me. I liked the fact that when they were handled and behaved it was an honour that they trusted me and I could never take it for granted. 

 In early 2007 I sadly lost all of my Multimammates. Both the younger brothers Max and Jasper had to put down when they developed wart like cancerous growths all over their bodies. In discussion with another keeper it has been hypothesised that they may be predisposed to these kind of growths. As most "pet" stock has originated from lab stock that may have been bred for cancer research.

I was then left with Badger who was originally a year older then Max and Jasper. It wasn't ideal keeping him on his own as they are a very social species but I kept a close eye on him, until he passed away peacefully in his cage at the end of February.

I was very sad to loose my little boys and although I have enjoyed the experience of keeping Multimammates I do not plan on keeping anymore at the moment. My next exotic rodent when I decide I want the work of another cage again with be some Bushy tailed jirds.

Last Updated 29/12/09