ratcreature | in memory of Silas

Silas
7.1.2012 - 9.10.2012

I just buried poor Silas. He was only nine months old, when he died suddenly yesterday. He lived with me since he was five weeks old. He wasn't the most affectionate rat, not that fond of cuddling, but still very friendly. And really surprisingly docile when it came to taking his antibiotics a few weeks ago. He was the first rat I ever had who didn't turn administering oral medicine into major drama.

Initially he was a bit shy, as all four in my current group were, but he and Rusty were the two to venture out first from the cage, and eventually he got over this reluctance. He was the smallest of my four, and had the habit to grab as much food as he could as soon as I filled their bowls and stash it in hidden cashes all over the cage. He also had the somewhat unpleasant habit to pinch me if he wanted attention. It wasn't proper biting, but not soft, affectionate nibbling either. My scolding didn't seem to have any impact on this habit. Maybe he liked me being startled, when he snuck up to me on the bed and pinched my arm, back or leg.

I hope he enjoyed the short time he had.

When they were little I had sometimes problems keeping Silas and Rusty apart. Once they were grown, Rusty turned out to become much larger though.

Silas as a young rat:
my rat Silas

Here you can see his size next to Rusty (who has become even fatter since). Silas is the smaller gray one on the right:
my rat Silas

With the following two pictures you can see the destructive effect keeping rodents has on your blankets and other textiles, Silas is the gray one in the middle:
my rat Silas