Our pet rats were affectionate, playful, cuddly, and just about as smart as animals can be without going to law school.
If you have more than one rat, they will compete for your affection: they pretty much have to have it. You can teach them to do all sorts of tricks, not counting the ones they teach themselves.
I’ve seen people who shuddered at rats wind up, 15 minutes later, petting them and doing cozy-talk. They can have that effect on you.
I find the response of the humans in that video just as fascinating. It’s obvious that these people really liked their pets.
Pet rats are really good at winning people over.
Their short life spans, though, must be heartbreaking to the people who grow attached to them.
Yes, that’s the insurmountable problem. These little animals are very easy to love.