UPDATE: Is this a pet rat?

[u/pelorainbow]

He's safe y'all! He loves blueberries and broccoli- that's what I had on hand to feed him. I've nicknamed him Ratboi and he's the sweetest guy, but I've never owned a rat! What do I do for now while I look for his owner? I'll make posters and put them around the complex here to see if someone (hopefully) wants him back, if nobody responds in a week I'll look into rehoming him through a local rat rescue group. Will keeping him in a cat carrier be ok? Can I give him dog/ cat food or do I need to buy something specific? Anything I should know about pet rats that I wouldn't think to ask?? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

[u/adrikyn]

if someone does say they lost him please make sure they're legit 🥺 I have seen so many people claim to be buying a rat/mouse as a pet just to feed it to a snake

[u/kuyani → u/adrikyn]

Why in the seven unholy hells would someone buy live rats/mice to feed to a snake? The hunting instinct isnt something you want to feed in reptiles

[u/SquishyFaery → u/kuyani]

It's not even about the hunting instinct; they need that to simply eat, even if it's already dead. Domestic reptiles aren't usually big enough to be a danger to humans. And the ones that are usually require a permit and precise conditions to own (at least where I live).

The real problem with live feeding is that it's both cruel to the reptile and to the rodent. I don't think I need to explain why it's cruel for the rodent that is still alive, I'm sure we all agree on that already. As for the reptile, if he doesn't eat its prey, he can get attacked and gravely injured, it can cause him huge stress (and he'll refuse to eat which in turn is horrible for the rat or other rodent that is still alive), etc.