Rats and reptiles/snakes
This is definitely not a good idea! Your rat could get eaten and/or your reptile or snake could get severely injured. Rats are afraid of slithery snake-y things and will attack them, if they're not petrified with fear that is. Just thinking about this combo makes me shudder....
Rats and other rodents (mice, hamsters, gerbils, etc.)
This one is also not a good idea. Rats are very predatory (see the bird section) and will attack and eat smaller rodents. I have heard of mice and rats who were raised together and get along wonderfully, but in general, rats see mice, gerbils, hamsters, etc. as prey and will kill them.
A book I found very helpful with some good perspectives on handling animal introductions is:
Creating a Peaceable Kingdom: How to Live with More Than One Pet
by Cynthia D. Miller
Hardcover, 223 pages
1997
Animalia Publishing Company
Yuba City, CA
ISBN#0-9649413-6-8
She only covers birds, dogs, cats and rabbits, but all of the tips she has are very good and can be used with rats as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a multi-animal household and wants to make it function well!
Have I left out anything? Any questions I haven't answered? I hope not, but I'm sure there's something I missed.... If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the discussion area!
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