Rats that bite need a human's help. The videos in this series show examples of working with a biting rat.

Part 1 of 2 - In this visit, Teddy's human, Debra, picks him up. Part 2 of 2 shows stranger Gwen interacting with Teddy. What is the body language of a scared and bitey rat, when an unfamiliar human begins a first interaction? Watch Teddy's flinching, tightening, closing his eyes, holding very still, and not eating his treat. Then he begins to calm down and relax a little. Teddy has the added disabilities of being almost completely blind and deaf. This is part 1 of 2. Part 2 shows Teddy's regular human, Debra Mendelsohn, who is allergic to the nails of animals, picking him up.

Part 2 of 2 - Stranger Gwen interacts with Teddy and decides not to try to pick him up. What is the body language of a scared and bitey rat, when a human interacts with him to help him trust? What does it take to pick up a scared and bitey rat? Debra Mendelsohn talks about Teddy Rat and pets and scritches him and then picks him up. You can hear that rat SCREECH! Yikes, he scared me (holding the camera). But on Debra's arm he calms down a great deal. He is learning to trust.

Part 3 - A second visit, several months later, shows Debra has done great work with Teddy. He is relaxed, living with a comfortable group, and Debra can pick him up easily.

This is a snapshot from the fourth part of this series where Gwen holds Teddy. He clearly enjoys it. He bruxes and investigates Gwen's face. She makes some bizarre faces as she anticipates whether he might bite her. Which he does not. He is utterly sweet.

Part 4 - In this second visit, returning stranger Gwen picks up Teddy. In her first visit several months ago, she did not pick him up, as he gave strong signals he would bite. Now that Debra Mendelsohn has done so much work with him, Gwen can pick him and snuggle to the point where bruxes.

Teddy Rat muches his carrot peacefully; he now lives in a new group he is comfortable with.

A friend inquires about sharing, but Teddy declines and there is no squabbling over his decision.

Teddy sleeps with a buddy. Debra says the top(dark) rat is the alpha rat and that he and Teddy aren't yet good friends, but they are clearly on their way.