What do rats use their whiskers for? How do rats communicate with humans?
Rats’ whiskers are used the same way cats and other animals use their whickers. Being nocturnal, rats use their whiskers to navigate in the dark and usually are “wall huggers.” Whiskers can sense minor changes in air pressure from someone or something moving nearby. As for communication, rats communicate with people the same ways they communicate with other rats, so you need to be in tune with “body language” and actions. Rats grind their teeth when content (or when nervous). They lick you or nibble as a form of social grooming to let you know they trust you. They may shiver when frightened (or cold). If a rat is hunched up with fur on end, he is probably sick or scared. Rats try to frighten off predators by hissing and huffing. There are many other things you may notice about your rats. They are not difficult to “read.
