My son is a rattie addict. From what he tells me, they require less space and it doesn't sound like they are gormands, like piggies. They don't live quite as long as piggies can and, being more intelligent than piggs (except for mine, of course
), they need more human interaction. I used to pet sit a friend's rats and totally enjoyed the experience. I caution, don't use cedar shavings if you go with rats (or piggs for that matter). My friend lost a rat to cedar shavings. Either gives a rewarding relationship. No, it didn't sound childish. I used to love to let Brighteyes, my friend's rat, snuggle up in my hair at the nape of my neck. She would give me little kisses and it would send chills down my back. It was GREAT!