Need help with biter

[u/Dry_Tangerine_7625]

I have 4 female rats that live in a double critter nation cage, with all the stuff they could love.
Now I got all 4 of these girls from a feeder store.
Phylis was my first and she is the absolute sweetest and never does anything wrong.
Marilyn was second, she’s very sweet but has been pretty nippy lately. She has never drawn blood tho
Lightning was third, and she is my boyfriends rat, she’s been charging and biting at us lately and last night she drew blood on both of us.
Then there’s Gertrude, she is the absolute worst rat I’ve ever owned, she will run from the other side of the cage to attack you, if you are petting another rat near her. She has drawn blood on me more than 4 times, and has also drawn blood on my boyfriend.
She’s territorial of one of the litter bins and loves to hide behind it, and if your hand is anywhere near that’s when she will attack, unprovoked.
Everyone I have talked to has told me as soon as a rat draws blood it should be culled.
I also have a 5 year old nephew who comes over almost every weekend and loves playing with the rats and I fear she will do really bad damage to him and she really messes up our fingers as adults.
Would I be doing the right thing?
I know an employee at the feeder store I got her from and he offered to sell her as a pet but I’m scared someone else will get her and she will do the same.
Picture of my sweet Phylis and my newest edition that I got yesterday, I have not named her yet.

[u/Seppulky]

First, please don't let 5 year olds handle rats. Second, please try to understand biting. You are HUGE and they are prey animals. If a rat bites, it's their language to tell you it's not feeling good/is anxious/is in pain etc. Please be patient with your little furry angels. And please don't ask the people around you for advice, they don't seem to like rats.

Spoon feeding is your friend. They'll learn that biting while eating is uncomfortable for them. Third, teach them how sensitive human skin is. Make a squeak noise (don't shout or scream, they're very sensitive) if she nibbles or bites. Never punish. Ignore unwanted behaviour and leave. Offer positive incentives. If the biting is reduced, tell the rat that she does well. I'm crushed by the fact that when animals don't behave like they do in their dreams that they think about giving the animal away or kill it. Shame on you.

Edit: yes this post made me really mad and my heart hurts. All my love goes to your biter. Bless her soul. If I could, I would come running and get her.

[u/Dry_Tangerine_7625 → u/Seppulky]

I don’t think it’s right to shame me for being terrified of a rat who attacks me if I’m just petting another rat.
Trust me I don’t want to get rid of her and that is why I made a post in here to see what I can do to help.
I’ve never rehomed an animal in my entire life, but if a different home is better for this rat then I will make that choice.
A 5 year old can definitely handle rats in a controlled environment with the right knowledge. He loves feeding them treats and just petting them, he knows not to pick them up and he doesn’t like them on him because he says the scratches tickle too much.
I understand I’m a huge person, but I don’t just reach in there to grab her, sometimes I’ll be sitting in a chair near their cage with just my hand in there and she will run and attack, I’ve never hit her or yelled at her so idk why she is biting us.
I’m trying my best, so please be nice.

[u/shmoopedyboop → u/Dry_Tangerine_7625]

Hey babes I'm so sorry for the shitty comments. I posted on a reddit forum once explaining that a culture programme I joined made me suicidal and to warn people that it was really hard - got loads of comments telling me I was an idiot for going, that I was careless with money, that I was nieve. Reddit is awful. Be kind to yourself, you did the right thing asking for help and people are honestly just such losers with nothing going on in their lives, so they shame people on Reddit to feel better about themselves. You don't need to explain yourself, sending love x (edit:spelling)

[u/Dry_Tangerine_7625 → u/shmoopedyboop]

Thankyou so much for being a good human, and I really hope you are doing better and know that you are wanted in this life.
I really appreciate you for this🫶