Pet rat question

[marko]

Hi everyone
Just curious about something
Last night I saw some guy in the street with a small baby pet rat that he had in an open pouch.
Do rats 'stay' with their owners like dogs?
Can't the rat just climb out of that pouch and run away?
Thx

[hazelrunpack]

I think it depends on the rat. It could probably run away, but it might be imprinted on the guy and willing to stick around.

There was a young boy in Milwaukee that I'd always see with his pet parakeet sitting on his shoulder. The bird could certainly have flown away (his primaries weren't clipped), but he always stuck with his boy.

[Winston]

Marko
I had a pet rat as a child. Loved him sooo much. He was all white and I remember I named him Templeton. One day while playing with him in our garage he got away from me and I never found him again. I think he really knew who I was. I had him for almost 1 yr....loved him like a regular pet...I remember being totally devastated when he didnt comeback....kept checking for him for so long....
I cant say I recall how it was to take care of him but I dont recall it being difficult.
So yes I would say it could crawl out of the pouch and get lost...
Cindy

[Luvpearls]

I am always unsure about this one. I used to own Siberian hamsters but they always run away whenever I put them out their cage. I find it hard to take care a pet that always try to escape from me.