I would like a pet rat (dont judge)

Can't you just tell him you are more likely to relate to a warm, cuddly rat than a cold, scaly reptile?

Um, maybe dad is pushing the gecko because he doesn't think you can pay for it as easily as a rat.

Actually pet rats can be very enjoyable. Folks get creeped out because they think of feral rats, but pet rats are not nocturnal, they will recognize you and be active when you are. However, their living space needed to be keep clean, it's normal for every living creature to expel waste. The rat can't clean his own space, so you have to do it. One word of caution, get just one, more than one and you may suddenly find you have 100.

Other than rats, have you thought about parakeets? I love birds but I no longer have any. I have dogs so it's not really safe for gerbils, rats or birds. I haven't checked on the cost involved in proper care for any of the small animals, but it's crucial to provide the right equipment to be a responsible pet owner. Without the proper care, a rat, gerbil or bird or even a reptile will sicken and suffer. Make sure you can afford to take proper care of whatever pet you chose. Because if you can't, the poor animal will not live a happy or healthy life.

Good luck figuring this out, I love animals, and I hope you can acquire a pet. It will be a lot of work as well as a ton of fun.

PS. rats won't fly around the house and chew the tops of drapes. And they won't poop on your TV, just a few things to think about.

I'd rather have a rat than a gecko.

I love geckos, but I'd rather see them live wild and free.

Good advice here. I was afraid I would be accused of bias solely based on the avatar.

What? A Giraffe Vole?

That is a rat. R-A-T. Rat!

Is it?

Good lord, I honestly thought it was a pygmy albino Giraffe Vole, just like good old Hoppy.
Purchased in the Congo back in '31, he lived in my pith helmet for several years before running off down a back alley in Cairo.

Never got rid of the smell though. Still reminds me of him every time I put my helmet on to mow the lawn.

OMG, I want to be at your neighbors house, the next time you mow the lawn,

He has neighbors?

Oh, didn't think it thru.

I live in a virtual terrarium every time I step out of my door. with my Toy Poodle, JellyBean. She loves chasing all the geckos and various lizards that surround the ground of my apartment. I hate to see what larger critter up on the food chain that is waiting for them in woods around my place. Clearly, the next up on the chain after that are the gators that eat those that prey on what eats those little lizards. Then there's all those voles, moles, and field mice - not to mention the myriads of snakes.

A rat or two must be lurking around...just not the white lab rat that sells in pet stores. That white lab rat..is a fun, affectionate, trainable, clean and intelligent animal...nothing that close in manners to what you see outside here in so FL or elsewhere in North America.

Talk to your dad about it.

He might say yes.

He might say no to start with.
Don't argue with him about it.
Don't pout.
Don't bug him about it.

Tell him that you'd like him to think about it, that you will do more research and that you would like to talk to him about it again in a week. Treat it like a business case. Be as grown-up and professional about it as you can.

Thank you
This question slowly turned into a discussion about voles....

I know you said you don't want to do the research, but I highly suggest you do. Find out everything involved (the internet is a wonderful tool - just make sure you are using reliable resources).

Any pet will take some degree of money and time. If you do not want to do the research, I would worry that you will not want to spend the time to care for a pet. Also, you can use the research to show your dad how serious you are and how great a rat can be for a pet.

I've never had one, but know people who have and I have heard great things about them. The domestic ones can be quite beautiful with various colors and they are friendly and gentle if handled appropriately.

Do the research and see if this is a pet you can afford and have the time and desire to care for it. Then use the facts you obtained to convince your dad.