One of my girls was just the same. As well as the ordeal of getting used to new surroundings and noises in the beginning, it appears she is generally a little over sensitive to noise. Skittles (the rat I refer to) has been with me since February and is still very 'jumpy' to sudden movement or noise. It hasn't spoilt my relationship with her though as she still seeks me out for scritches, comes to me when called etc, she's just nervous!

All I could suggest is the usual trust training as has been suggested, and lots of patience. If you are scared of her, and if she's resisting being handled it makes it more important that you handle her even if this is just a 30 second scritch twice a day - it worked with Skittles.

Good luck

I can't add much to what Sarah wrote about the best way to get a scared rat to trust you. Your new rattie just needs to learn that you mean her no harm and this will take time and a lot of patience. I've never known a rattie say no to a yoggie drop, and holding some inside the cage on an outstretched palm should at least make her curious, but always make sure to not make any quick hand movements, or any other quick movements around her, and always approach her from the side and never from above. Although bred in captivity, rats still have an innate fear of anything looming over them like a swooping bird of prey, but approached in the right way, with time, patience, and lots of loving talk from you, your frightened rattie can and will come to trust you.

This is a new forum and I'm not sure of the rules regarding how many posts before being able to post pictures, but we'd love to see your new ratties :) You would first have to upload your pictures to a site like Photobucket before copying (Ctrl+C) and pasting (Ctrl+V) here from the Direct Link.

Don't be discouraged,its still early days.A rat that has never been handled can take up to a month to tame.She needs to know that you are friendly and not going to harm her.Speak quietly to her and put your hand in the cage without attempting to touch her initially so she can get used to your smell and your sound.
Hold a piece of tasty food that rats love such as boiled potato or pasta and out of curiosity and hunger hopefully she will eventually be brave enough to come to your hand and take it.When she understands that not only are you friendly but you are actually giving away food thing should start to progress.
You can then move on to trying to stroke her gently in the cage.
Sorry,can't help re;photos.I am utterly thick when it comes to things like that!