The gnawers are initially portrayed as being cold and self-centered. They are often aggressive, frequently attacking and occasionally eating members of the other sentinent species of the Underland. When Gregor asks Ripred if rats can love, he remarks that "We love ourselves very much." Later in the series, the gnawers are portrayed more sympathetically. It is revealed that, despite Ripred's sarcastic reply to Gregor's query in the first book, rats share strong bonds with their mates and pups, and, on the rare occasions that they befriend humans, are fierce and loyal friends.