These little guys are Alfred and Leslie (as in Alfred Pennyworth and Leslie Thompkins). I got Alfred - the larger one - last week on a whim. I’ve always wanted a rat, and knowing that they are relatively low maintenance - more than a cat or parakeet anyway - I hopped to the pet store after work and picked one up.
But I’m usually gone all day and I’m usually sleeping at home. Rats are very social animals, and I don’t have the time to play with Alfred as much as I’d like. So Leslie - the smaller one - now keeps Alfred company when I’m away.
Also, I found that Alfred is female. (Oops.) Leslie is female, too. That was on purpose. Getting a male and female rat would not be smart. There will be many little rat babies, not to mention a hormonal mommy rat and an infanticidal daddy rat.
But if I were a careful rat breeder, I would have enough subjects for my senior research project.
Not a half-bad idea.
