Cindy, the reason that your rat bites were so severe is that the bottom teeth of a rat separate into a V shape and the top teeth go right in between them. Skin is ripped horribly during a rat bite. I have kept pet rats for many years and only had one vicious biter. Puzzle had a weird shaped head and I always thought he had some sort of head trauma that resulted in a brain injury. He was sweet one minute and would sink his teeth in the next minute. Most rats just take your finger into their mouths and taste you. I took in several of the infamous Menlo Park rats several years ago and although they were wild, they weren't severe biters. They were brought to Oregon with one of the "rat trains" that delivered HUNDREDS of rats to people across the country from the THOUSANDS that were rescued in a hoader's house in CA. Also did anyone read about Martha Stewart getting bit on the face/lips by one of her bulldogs? Nine stitches! She said it was her fault because she startled her when she was sleeping at the vet's office.....um, the dog was sleeping at the vet's office, not Martha Stewart ;-) Nancy who wishes she had a dollar for every bite she's got from animals....I'd be RICH. [Posted in FML 6944]