Adventures with Parallax Motion!

Now this is a funny story.

One evening Tim and I looked in our little guys and found Monkey huddled in a corner acting a little strange. I can only discribe it as it appeared that Monkey was in a trance. Eyes locked on some far away place and swaying side to side as if he was dizzy. Our first impression was that Monkey was sick. So as we always do, we hop onto the Internet to try and find a clue as to what might be the case.

I found scores of people with the same concern and experience and questioning as to what the cause was of the mysterious behavior. I found one website that begged us not to be alarmed, that the behavior was perfectly normal, and actually bares a name. Monkey was exercising what is called Parallax Motion.

Parallax Motion is common in white rats with pink eyes. Rats with pink eyes have a harder time determining the depth and location of whatever they are looking. They also have a harder time seeing in general. To be able to determine how far away something is (if they are not sure or are just curious) they will stare intently and move back and forth to figure it out.

I have to say that we were so relieved and felt a little stupid afterwards. We have only seen Monkey do this once and never Steve. I wonder what Monkey was looking at that had him so drawn to it. I will never know, but at least if this happens again I can be rest assured that everything is alright!