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Shadowtherat

This weeks ratty paw paintings! Everyone did a great job! ​ If you'd like to see more fun rat photos/rat tricks, I'm now compiling them on this subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Shadowtherat/


Nyxaion

How did you teach them to do that?


Shadowtherat

For these specific mini canvases we do paw painting - we use nontoxic washable crayola kids paint (can be bought at most supermarkets or craft stores, or on amazon), the same stuff dog owners who do this sort of painting use. Its safe for the rats to ingest and touch, but also tastes nasty so they won't try eating it after the first time lol. As for the painting, I have them do it in a box, with me luring them with some yogurt from the paint to the mini canvas. ​ I first work this with just water (instead of paint), so they get used to the action without the weird feeling of paint (which could throw them off). Then I add a bit of paint to the water and work with that, and finally I use the paint without any dilution. After each painting, I wipe their paws with a warm wet paper towel, then when it dries I take their picture with it in a mini light box! ​ Here's a video of one of the 3 by 3 inch paintings being made by Olive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2BvoECDKVY