(copied from another post -- Hugh is one of my pet rats)

 

I just came in with a treat for the boys, a
little bit of baby food.  Granted, Hugh isn't
wild about this flavour, but he's normally very
interested if he thinks food is on the offing.

I thought he must be in his igloo on the bottom
level since I didn't see him at first, but then
noticed he was standing behind it. Not unusual in
itself, but it was like he was frozen in
attention.  He was sitting on his back legs,
front paws off the floor, as if interested in
something.  I said his name repeatedly, no
reaction, waved my hand in front of him, no
reaction, wiggled my fingers through the bars
near the food dish, nothing. I reached in,
putting he treat near him and he still didn't
react and I even bumped him with the dish, but no
reaction!  I patted him and he didn't do
anything, but a moment later he hopped to about
the middle of the cage. He then went up a level
and was sitting there, so I gave him a different
treat which he took, but then just held it in his
paws.

Since I didn't think he was going to do anything
with it, I went to get a piece of banana.  When I
came back he was nibbling at the other treat
half-heartedly.  When he smelled the banana he
came right over, took it enthusiastically and ate
it. 

That was a few minutes ago and while I've been
typing this he's been in the igloo.  He just came
out and now he's back in that same corner looking
as though something has really got his interest
(I can't see or hear anything that would).  He
did seem a bit oblivous to my talking to him from
that side of the cage but he did seem to register
my hand in front of him this time.

What the heck's he doing??

By the way, just re-reading this now, it doesn't
SOUND so strange, but it IS strange behaviour for
*him*.

Linda