Notices by Zumbador (zumbador@mefi.social)

The rats shared my rooibos tea this morning. It was not hot, but much warmer than anything they've encountered before. The cashew nut milk probably attracted them.

Jasper takes one lick, then backs off. Shakes out his little hands, *shake*, like that, washes his nose. Then goes back for lick, then backs off for another shake and wash.

Saffy drinks, glances up at me whiffling her whiskers at the unexpected temperature, and just goes on drinking, noting the heat but not worried by it.

I also watched Maurice wash behind his ears: he doesn't use his hands like I assumed. He reaches up with his little arms straight up, and rubs the inside of his wrists behind his ears, exactly like a lady applying perfume to her pulse points. 😂

And to wash his chest, he doesn't do that "crane and lick" thing that cats do, he very sensibly takes hold of his loose chest-skin and pulls it up to his mouth as if it was a jersey. Too cute.

#rats #today #Ratstodon #PetsOfMastodon

One of the funny things about #rats is how squishy they are. They're like little pillows of fat and muscle with their skeletons floating inside.

This picture on the left is Jasper #today, looking very round and innocent.

He's actually pretty slim when stretched out, and muscular too. He's by far the bravest of my rats, and a really friendly little guy. He likes adventuring and exploring and doesn't seem to have much fear at all.

He doesn't need to dominate other rats, in fact he relentlessly submits until they give up and act friendly to him.

The picture on the right is him as a baby shortly after meeting my older rats, he was in there and snuggling with no trouble.

I love that picture, both Jasper and Frankie look so contented and happy.

#PetsOfMastadon

#today I'm so pleased with the success of putting the birds' veggie dish in a different location. They are polishing the chop! It can be difficult to get budgies to eat anything new.

As you can see from the look Theodore (on the left) is giving me.

These two are rescue birds who were dyed pink when I got them. The rescue org didn't know what had happened to them, but their previous family included a small child so...?

Theodore is very reserved and dignified. Carlos (pigging out in the background) is a total clown.

#PetsOfMastodon #birbs

#today I just texted my siblings to let them know I'm #nonbinary I've been out on social media for a while but I don't know if they are aware.

Much more difficult to tell family than online strangers.
#ActuallyAutistic #nb

#today I was able to drive for the first time in 3 weeks (no more broken toe) so I could visit my father.

He's just launched a book about the events leading up to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.

This mean we can now commiserate with one another about what a pain promoting and selling books is. ?

He's got a fantastic interview in Die Burger.

@Mrfunkedude yesterday at the supermarket I noticed that they put anti theft devices on the baby formula tins. Not on anything else.