Emin's pouched rat, grapes

-EDIT- SEPT. 2008-THE FDA AND CDC LIFTED THE BAN ON POUCHED RATS AS PETS IN THE UNITED STATES!!! If ANYONE in the US still has them, I am VERY interested in two young pouched rats! Either Emin's pouched OR Gambian pouched! THANK YOU!!!(old post)How many grapes can fit inside the cheek pouches of an emin's pouched rat?EDIT-Matisse was an emin's pouched rat (Crycetomis emini), a smaller, sleeker relative of the gambian pouched rat (Crycetomis gambianus). The emin's pouched rat has a longer snout, it's fur is very sleek and body is thin and longer. They have a clear line of demarkation from it's dark brown upper body and it's greyish white belly. The gambian rat has a short snout, a bulkier body, is a uniform greyish color, and a bit "rougher" looking fur. My emin's pouched rat weighed about 4 lbs. at his peak, was SOLID muscle, made lots of "churbling" noises (almost like a parrot) and was very playful outside his cage. He was extremely intelligent, scarily so, and figured things out instantly. He was also VERY stubborn, and if he didn't want to do something, there was no way you could make him. Matisse passed away Summer of 2007 at 4 years 2 months of age. He died sleeping in his hammock... I was devastated. He was 4th generation captive bred, VERY affectionate, and very much bonded to me (although others could pet and handle him JUST FINE!). ALL pouched rats are illegal as of 2003 due to the monkeypox scare. This is a lesson as to why people should QUARANTINE sick animals, especially in the exotic pet trade, and especially when importing from another country! I'd do anything to overturn the ban, as the pouched rat was the perfect pet for me, and I can't do anything outside of moving to another country to have one in my life again. I should also note that although I had success with Matisse, they're not pets for everyone. These guys are still wild animals, and unless you have experience with BOTH medium sized exotic animals as well as rats, I wouldn't recommend them. Pouchies are strong, destructive, and can do serious damage to a person if that person doesn't know what they're doing. They can also chew through wire cage bars if they put their mind to it, and wires and cabinets are short work for those powerful teeth.

Channel: Pets & Animals
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: pouchedrattie

Length: 00:32
Rating: 4.89
Views: 19579

Tags: african  emin's  grapes  pouch  pouched  rat  

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