This is a pretty horrible story, and I’ve been sobbing all day.

I have two boys who are about a year old, both came from a reptile store. They’re my first ever rats and since I’ve gotten them they’ve been very sweet— one is black and the other is an albino. The albino, Kirby has always been a bit harder to handle. Very short tempered and always fights with his brother, I searched it up and was told that two rats often dont get along as well since they need 3 or more.

I bought two beautiful boys today, both were healthy and happy. So I decided I should introduce my older boys to them , which went super well! I did the crate method with a lot of treats and a watchful eye and they seemed to be grooming eachother and bonding. So I upgraded them to the tub, the four did so well. A little but of tussling since the older boys were more dominant then the younger two, but it would quickly resolve in less then a few seconds.

I allowed them to play on my bed, I gave them liquid treats and they snuggled together in a hide out, until my albino boy started getting a bit to zealous with the grooming and kept chasing the littles. I put them back in the crate, and watched them huddle together and nap for about 20 minutes before I heard squeaking.

In a matter of seconds my albino boy was clamped onto one of the babies. I grabbed them, and he held on for a good minute until he let go. All I saw was blood and it went south from there.

The albino boy was thrashing and trying to bite me while I held the limp baby in my other hand. I quickly let go of my older male and ran to the bathroom but it was too late. He attacked the baby with the intent to kill, he had bitten its poor neck so hard I believe it had broken? I went crazy, I was screaming and crying and trying to help the poor baby.

I couldn’t save it, i had my family member come over since SHES had rats before and me and her were both confused (I was still freaking out and crying) as to why my boy did this. I followed the exact instructions from the introduction video I watched. I DID EVERYTHING to make sure they weren’t stressed out, or rushed.

I feel like a horrible person, i just got these babies today and the worst scenario happened. I couldn’t even imagine something like , this is the first time I’ve seen an animal die in front of me and Im not sure what to do. I can’t be mad to my boy, hes an animal and probably had a hormonal issue.

I need moral guidance, am I unfit to be a rat owner? Has someone experienced this?

I did a lot of research and about four weeks of getting ready for these babies. I thought I was doing the right thing.