HOUSING AND SOCIAL NEEDS
Rodents are social animals if caged in compatible groups. Breeding pairs, females of about the same age and juvenile males usually live together in harmony. Adult male rats are more likely to fight viciously if caged together. They should be caged individually.
Rats are often housed in solid bottom plastic cages constructed of polypropylene or polycarbonate materials. Both these materials can withstand repeated sanitizing with temperatures of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). In addition, some polycarbonate cages are designed to withstand temperatures of 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). Polypropylene material is opaque while polycarbonate cages are transparent. Transparent cages generally allow you to observe the animals without handling the cage.
A contact bedding is usually placed in these shoebox cages which allows rodents to instinctively mimic their activities in the wild such as burrowing and nest building. There must also be enough bedding to absorb urine.
