[Quiet Man Cometh]

No, we would let the rats out (mine and my sister's). They would wander around, so long as at least one person was in the room to keep an eye on them. If we lost one, they were usually behind the fishtank. I guess they liked it there. My sister's rat was curled up sleeping in a blanket ones when we lost him, and mine was found in a clothes shelve when I accidentally left the cage door open. (Only had him for a couple of days then). He came out when I was rifling through the room looking for him.

I couldn't put my hampster down or he was off across the room like a shot. Looked away from him once and he got himself stuck in the heat vent (which wasn't on). Had to lower a ladder from his cage down into it so he could grab on and lift him out. I still can't believe he fit through the grate.

My hampster was also much less keen on being held or shoulder-riding than the rats were.