Questions about a pregnant rat.

Question

Okay, I've been searching through the questions about pregnant rats on here and I think I have most of what I need to know down but, there are a couple more questions I need answered.

I got a male rat yesterday and I went to get another one for a compainion for him. Well, when I got another one this afternoon, we were thinking it was male. After I got it home and put it in the cage, it became pretty clear that it was female; from the interest from the male and she has no male parts.

I don't think they are very old. They were being sold as feeder rats so, they are relatively small. I know there is a good chance of her being already pregnant...

But anyway, the pet store told me I could bring the babies back if she has any. I need to know when I can touch the babies/when they are ready to be taken from the mother. And, is there any thing I need to do to help her and the babies?

Should I be worried about the male hurting the female while she is pregnant? I know to take him out while she gives birth but, I just want to make sure nothing bad will happen before that.

Also, at the meantime, I have them in a glass aquarium tank. (I'm getting a wire one tomorrow, though.) The female likes to jump to the top and hang on. It's not that far of a drop to the bedding but, I would like to know if this is putting any bad harm to her and the babies.

Any other tips or suggestions would be welcomed since I really have no clue what I'm doing. I've had all types of rodents before but never had any of them have babies.

Thank you in advance!!

Answer 1

What you need to do is get information from a reliable source. Look for books or online articles by Debbie Ducommun. Good online resources are The Rat Fan Club and RMCA. I also highly suggest the "Rats Rule" forum at http://www.goosemoose.com/component/opti...

There are lots of experienced rat owners here who would be glad to answer your questions.

Also, I would not take the babies back to that pet store if it is avoidable. The rats there are obviously not well cared for and will just have more babies. You should advertise your babies on Rats Rule and find out if there is a rat rescue group in your area.

Answer 2

i dont feel like reading ur whole question

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about the male hurting her, but def. keep him out from delivery on. You can touch them as soon as they're born and they wean at 4 weeks. Just make sure mom has food, water, and nesting materials such as toliet paper/paper towels. No, her crazy jumping won't hurt them. :P Feel free to email also if you have anymore questions along the way. ^_^

(As for below answer, how would the babies eat & why would she eat them? 0.o)

Answer 4

ok yes you ned to seperate the male from the female and then what you need to do when she is giving birth seperate her from her babies after she gives birth other wise she willeat them that is all i can tell you for right now but here is a good website you can look atthen scroll down to peragnent rat.hope it helps!!!

Answer 5

If humping is your only reason for believing they are opposite sexed, then you could still be wrong. Rats hump not only for sexual reasons, but also to display dominance.

Try having a look at this site to see if you could s*x them a bit better:

http://www.ratz.co.uk/sexingrats.html

If the babies will be sold as food, you don't need to touch them at all. Handling babies should start from as early as the mother allows it to ensure they will be properly socialized for when they go to new homes. But you can touch them as long as she does not get upset by it.

Males must be separated from the females at 4-5 weeks old. They are weaned at 4 weeks, so take them all out at around 5.

There is nothing you need to do other than keep the mother as stress-free as possible. This means avoid handling her since she is still unused to you.

You need to take them male out RIGHT NOW! NEVER leave males and females together! We WILL still hassel her, and create stress for her. Get a new cage Today!

Glass aquariums have virually NO air circulation in some cases. Rats and tanks are a big no. Rats in particular have extremely sensitive respiratory systems, so it is necessary for them to have good, clean air at all times. Tanks have ammonia build up stored in them from thier urine, which makes breathing hard. And actually, from my experience, animals will jump up like that inside tanks because they are having trouble breathing. What type of bedding are you using? Pine and cedar are toxic, and worsen the breathing. Move her out to the wire one tomorrow as soon as you get it, and leave the male in the tank until you can buy another cage. When she actually has the babies, the cage she should be in must be one leveled so the babies don't get injured.

And what you did at first, get the male a compaion was great. Rats CANNTO live alone. They are social, and this would mean depriving them of one of their basic needs. When you have your babies, I really hope you keep a male and a female to provide companionship for each parent rat. That would be convinient. Just be careful with the sexing this time ;)