I have a mouse, but im thinking about switching to a rat?

for about four months ive owned two mice, but as of now i only have one. and shes a biter and im thinking about going to get a rat, just a small one, mostly because you can actually play with them more than you can mice and theyre not as fragile as mice are and loads of stuff. BUT(here it comes, the one thing that everyone will object to) i dont want to tell my parents which i KNOW is stupid and immaure and will only get me in more trouble than its worth but it wasnt that bad when i got my first mousey (that was a secret too) and i have funds(limited) so i can pay for everything like i am with my mousey but i dont know what to do. i really really want a rat (any info on them would be great) but its just one of those things that im not sure about and dont really want to get in trouble over. PS. dont tell me to ask my parents about getting a rat and being mature and stuff because i tried that already with my first mousey and they said this was the "last straw" with them(the stink) sooooo, if you know EXACTLY what to say to make them side with me, then great