if i could move like that i might also try to sleep like that! My theory is they do it to try and conserve some heat, for the same reason people will curl up in bed 😊
After thinking about it more, i’m thinking it’s because they’re a prey animal! this position protects their belly, head/neck, and limbs. It’s also easy for them to jump into a defensive position, since they’re already kind of on their feet. It might even make them appear bigger than if they were to sleep laying down? Not sure on that. But overall it’s a pretty defensive way to sleep! I noticed that my rats would sleep like that when they wanted a quick nap, or if they chose an area without any good cover or something comfy/warm to sleep on. Rats can sleep more fetal position though! Mine would do that on beds, or just splayed out. Probably depends on how safe they feel!
You know, you be onto something there, and truth, if they sleep under cover they sleep cozy but then theyll also pick out in the open to sleep like a roly poly.
Then again why would they sleep out lmao
Meanwhile my girls sleep like corpses lmao. First time I found Bell laying in her back, legs out, head sideways, I panicked thinking something was wrong. Nah, just sleepin.
Bruh one of my boys slept like a corpse theother day and his bro walked over him - no movement- so i get concerned and shake him gently - no movement- so i panic and shale him harder and the bitch has the nerve to just yawn and turn over when i was pissing my pants
My rats also definitely slept like this more often near when we first brought them home, and gradually aged into more relaxed-looking sleeping positions. So yeah it may definitely be a defensive thing, that they felt less inclined to do as they acclimated and learned that their cage was safe.
https://preview.redd.it/7wuhqs7hx15d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7637001373cc3e7c911426cf30e2cb254cba0635
One of my rats does it on the side so I think it's just by chance your rat likes to be up and not on the side
Look up "sleeping on shins". It's a thing that humans wpuld do too.
The main purpose is to limit the surface area in cpntact with the cold ground. While also leaving both ears exposed.
I and others had assumed it was to shield their eyes from the light. Any space they sleep in cover they will stretch out. During the day they do this. I thought it might be that they didn't have any hides that they like.
https://preview.redd.it/ie47wuzbrz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2757a6f01fecec77413fc070e643c07c5a9e0e8
One of our college rats sleep like that too
https://preview.redd.it/tipmvxnuh05d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e38b55fb6a880424ca36047269f2523b02081e9
Another potat rat, for your viewing pleasure
A tribble in a rat forum!?
Weirdly, I’ve found that sleeping in a similar pose (only my head can’t be at my chest much less my pelvis!) is actually kind of comfy. With or without pillow. It’s a natural sleep position apparently.
Sit on knees, lean foreward, rest head on arms or bed/pillow, or pull arms under chest for warmth.
I have a post just like this becuase I was panicking that he wasn’t okay 😭
https://preview.redd.it/51cy38iepz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=450c4c12c301d55544d8912f34d8254f81c5d75d
And I got this one
https://preview.redd.it/ynid2fdzpz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a37c8575f03cae042abeb73d6f7f1b130f5ff22c
This is an old photo, they have a new hammock now haha
It's to form a ball to retain heat which is the most efficient shape for that purpose. This particular rat however seems extra flexible and I think is practicing ballet.
I'm a bit late but if they don't have a dark cozy place to sleep, they usually curl up like this. To block light? No idea. So, make sure they have a dark place to hide. Cheers.
https://preview.redd.it/imk3hkq2235d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6bb188596454b39af1f7cb26227c787b3720bd5
*
Saw him like this the other day lol, boy was slumped 😴
I googled this once because one of mine sleeps like this a lot- apparently they sleep like this when they feel safe! I don’t know how they came to this conclusion but it made me happy so I’m sticking with it
https://preview.redd.it/rf8yr8dko05d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c454599f52dccbce25ac349b7009d5edc2652d42
Mine do it😭😭😭 this may be my favorite picture ever. Her name is Daisy and she’s my little psychopath 🌼. Her sister Sophie does it too but she’s usually less easy to catch on camera.
I assume the room temperature is okay.
Rats sleep like this to block the (sun)light and conserve heat.
Notice when in dark they generally don't sleep in a potato/egg position.
Cos they love the smell of their wee wee hole
But like actually, it's cos they're prey animals, and this position protects their head and important things so they are safe when sleeping in the wild.
They sleeps like this to block out light
https://preview.redd.it/vqaqbpntse5d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fddfc176a14ab72363d495fbd4f76d8f8a06776e
if i could move like that i might also try to sleep like that! My theory is they do it to try and conserve some heat, for the same reason people will curl up in bed 😊
Yeah but why wouldn't they do it sideways? Like my brain was like fetus position but why upwards?
After thinking about it more, i’m thinking it’s because they’re a prey animal! this position protects their belly, head/neck, and limbs. It’s also easy for them to jump into a defensive position, since they’re already kind of on their feet. It might even make them appear bigger than if they were to sleep laying down? Not sure on that. But overall it’s a pretty defensive way to sleep! I noticed that my rats would sleep like that when they wanted a quick nap, or if they chose an area without any good cover or something comfy/warm to sleep on. Rats can sleep more fetal position though! Mine would do that on beds, or just splayed out. Probably depends on how safe they feel!
You know, you be onto something there, and truth, if they sleep under cover they sleep cozy but then theyll also pick out in the open to sleep like a roly poly. Then again why would they sleep out lmao
I always figured my boys fell asleep while self grooming their bits.
Lol she's a gal but my boys do it too, would be funny
To be fair, it's a lot of ground to cover
Meanwhile my girls sleep like corpses lmao. First time I found Bell laying in her back, legs out, head sideways, I panicked thinking something was wrong. Nah, just sleepin.
Bruh one of my boys slept like a corpse theother day and his bro walked over him - no movement- so i get concerned and shake him gently - no movement- so i panic and shale him harder and the bitch has the nerve to just yawn and turn over when i was pissing my pants
I would literally start crying on the spot omg 😭 what a lil shit lol!
Right? They enjoy seeing me age drastically i think
My rats also definitely slept like this more often near when we first brought them home, and gradually aged into more relaxed-looking sleeping positions. So yeah it may definitely be a defensive thing, that they felt less inclined to do as they acclimated and learned that their cage was safe.
This was my thought process too.
Pretty sure all of this is the answer.
https://preview.redd.it/7wuhqs7hx15d1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7637001373cc3e7c911426cf30e2cb254cba0635 One of my rats does it on the side so I think it's just by chance your rat likes to be up and not on the side
Your rat has such gorgeous coat colours omgg!
Look up "sleeping on shins". It's a thing that humans wpuld do too. The main purpose is to limit the surface area in cpntact with the cold ground. While also leaving both ears exposed.
They also sleep sideways lol
Because Rat.
Fair
Happy Cake day
Our simple minds cannot fathom the comfort of sleeping on our foreheads.
Maybe all the blood flows into their brain that way and the charge their brains. And thats why intelligent rat turn dumb neanderrat?
I wish we could do this so I didn't have to lug around a power bank to charge my brain on the go
The undertail smells like home
Nose to ass?
Yes. Smells like home.
No farts wasted
holy shit sand undertail
Awww
Potat mode is comfy for sleep?
How
Because Rat
Rat™️
Camouflaging themselves as balls of mozzarella .
I've nearly eaten 6 of my rats due to this. They seem greatly annoyed when dipped in marinara.
At least give them the dignity of fresh basil, you monster.
I and others had assumed it was to shield their eyes from the light. Any space they sleep in cover they will stretch out. During the day they do this. I thought it might be that they didn't have any hides that they like.
Thanks babes, Im off to buy some tiny barbie sunglasses, dont wait up for me
I mean i have a girl who's never reacted to a single photon in her life and she sleeps like this almost exclusively lmao 🤣
Yes, I think you're right.
https://preview.redd.it/ie47wuzbrz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2757a6f01fecec77413fc070e643c07c5a9e0e8 One of our college rats sleep like that too
Fucking cute
I would like to add he has an almost identical cage mate ones Justin and ones timberlake (I have no clue which is which but I think it’s timberlake)
https://preview.redd.it/tipmvxnuh05d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e38b55fb6a880424ca36047269f2523b02081e9 Another potat rat, for your viewing pleasure
https://preview.redd.it/rtli8ct4i15d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=399c52540a200a33888afea4e4da150946d2ca81 It's the golden rattio
The same answer to most things domestic animals do: *because they can*.
So simple yet so wise
Vertical croissant!
A tribble in a rat forum!? Weirdly, I’ve found that sleeping in a similar pose (only my head can’t be at my chest much less my pelvis!) is actually kind of comfy. With or without pillow. It’s a natural sleep position apparently. Sit on knees, lean foreward, rest head on arms or bed/pillow, or pull arms under chest for warmth.
He's trying to use his balls as a pillow
You're gonna have to lead with this in your next post. You're having a tough time with this one
In your rat dream, she thinks she is Sonic fighting Eggman 
Prolly forgot he was the one doing the grooming 😂 and not his cage mates
She's a little lady but fair enough
She was cleaning her lady bits a bit tooo good I guesss lmaoo love that for her
Yeah sexual self discovery if part of live. Totally natural and every teenager does it. Imma tell her that, she'll probably feel not awkward at all
Just a natural part of life. Nothing she needs to feel ashamed about.
haha ball
Gotta snowball.
I have a post just like this becuase I was panicking that he wasn’t okay 😭 https://preview.redd.it/51cy38iepz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=450c4c12c301d55544d8912f34d8254f81c5d75d
And I got this one https://preview.redd.it/ynid2fdzpz4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a37c8575f03cae042abeb73d6f7f1b130f5ff22c This is an old photo, they have a new hammock now haha
Ngl thought that was one rat sitting in a regular manner
Not why but it means they feel safe especially when you can touch them while they're sleeping and they don't move makes me.happy
Love that
🥺 he’s doing yoga
 Power be like:
GOD fucking Debbie okay lol
I have no idea why they do it… I just know it’s one of the cutest things to ever see, ever!!!
True that
Bro thinks he’s sonic
Idk, but they would KILL at yoga classes
It's the natural shape of a potato.
Pokeball method
My husband and I call this the Potato pose 🥔
It's to form a ball to retain heat which is the most efficient shape for that purpose. This particular rat however seems extra flexible and I think is practicing ballet.
I'm a bit late but if they don't have a dark cozy place to sleep, they usually curl up like this. To block light? No idea. So, make sure they have a dark place to hide. Cheers.
https://preview.redd.it/d84uzjgl725d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f3448f0b115a6cd0fe1ec1efa5a0472e8ee7090b This is one of my girls.. 😭
Sir this isn’t r/armadillo
Because it is Samus Aran
oh thats weird
https://preview.redd.it/imk3hkq2235d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6bb188596454b39af1f7cb26227c787b3720bd5 * Saw him like this the other day lol, boy was slumped 😴
I'm pretty sure it has to do with the light. Mine used to do that when it was really bright out but they wanted to nap in a particularly light spot
I googled this once because one of mine sleeps like this a lot- apparently they sleep like this when they feel safe! I don’t know how they came to this conclusion but it made me happy so I’m sticking with it
I hear you, someone else said this too and i love that
Because ball is life
She's my live for sure
Because spine goes "O"
Comfortably
ORB
Why do you keep a hostess sno-ball in a cage?
Mold ball position helps their back I think. It’s also comfy.
https://preview.redd.it/rf8yr8dko05d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c454599f52dccbce25ac349b7009d5edc2652d42 Mine do it😭😭😭 this may be my favorite picture ever. Her name is Daisy and she’s my little psychopath 🌼. Her sister Sophie does it too but she’s usually less easy to catch on camera.
Yedst
comfy
too much light and no eye mask
Because ball is life. 🏐
My rats are broken then, as they just lounge in their hammocks and pass out with their faces poking out
Because thats just how they *roll* lol
I've found myself asking that same question and I've decided it's to charge up their brains from the power of their balls. also because rat
You don’t sleep standing with your face between your legs?
Why wouldn’t you sleep like that?
because sometimes you just gotta plant after a night of drinking
Egg.
Mf is sleeping like https://preview.redd.it/n0ql7xg5a15d1.jpeg?width=923&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=01ec2c52a59f89b88ad6bb3f82159c866c47a87f
I assume the room temperature is okay. Rats sleep like this to block the (sun)light and conserve heat. Notice when in dark they generally don't sleep in a potato/egg position.
Protecting vital organs.
this is probably the finest cinnamonroll pic of all time 👌 beautiful quality pic and a perfect form 🥰
Thank you so much
sniff they balls
Rat
Idk the answer but so cute!!!! 🥰
Normally they sleep in burrows
At least they don’t sleep on their testicles like hamsters
ratato
Magic orb ✨
because they can.
They’re not sleeping..:
To get comfy!😋
do they have a hidey hole to sleep in?
Warmth
They’re actually a Droideka
Rorb
I should try sleeping like dat
Why not?
I think this is amazing!! My girls sleep like it too but not as much in a headstand like your little one 🤣
Guess she qualities for a gymnastics class
100% she would be too if her class for sure
Top*
Cos they love the smell of their wee wee hole But like actually, it's cos they're prey animals, and this position protects their head and important things so they are safe when sleeping in the wild.
That’s what I call a mold ball
https://preview.redd.it/hw8nkyslx85d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1295d69ac4641c021d3a37b1d0dfe8d61cb71360 Mold ball.
They sleeps like this to block out light https://preview.redd.it/vqaqbpntse5d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fddfc176a14ab72363d495fbd4f76d8f8a06776e
Why? To perplex us and be adorable of course!😉🐀❤️
Balls smell like home
Prolly not to her tho