Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Spiderman · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: Pregnant Rat, can anyone help?

Hi, I set up my rat colony about a month ago and have one male and three females in the colony kept together. The male has been mating all females from day one and has continued to do so. One of my females (black and white) has gradually increased in size around the lower part of the body meaning she should be pregnant. I have taken a few pics of her and would like to know how long everyone thinks it will be untill she gives birth?. Pics below;

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Deano

johonny · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

i would say an other week or two. there so cute Very Happy

Young_Gun · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

I'd say about the same but you can never be 100% sure with rats, some carry the weight better than others or can get absolutely HUGE before poppin.
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MORE THAN 2!

Lynne · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject:

aw how sweet.
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Herpquest · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject:

Don't worry! You won't have to be there with the hot water and towels.
Just leave them alone and wait for the 'squeaking'.
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If you don't know, ask!

RoyalCrazy · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 944

I would say a week or less Laughing

Scott W · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:08 am Post subject:

Spiderman · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

Biohazard156 · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:42 pm Post subject:

Hiya

The gestation period for rats is usually 21-23 days after mating, you can sometimes find a vaginal plug in them after mating, depends if you fancy looking at their bits and pieces to see this though. I do it with mice so its easier to judge when they will be giving birth.
I dunno what you were planning to do..but seperating the females to litter down on their own might be a good idea, the other females and the male may fight over/trample on or eat the pups... you can obviously put the female back in after the pups are weaned or at whatever stage you need them. In mice, i notice pregnancy at about day 12...so she might be at that stage? She'll start to look like she swallowed an orange soon enough Smile

Anna

Spiderman · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

Great news everyone Very Happy

, yesterday my black and white female gave birth to some lovely babies. Can't tell the exact size of litter at the moment because I don't want to disturb them too much. It's looking like 10-14 babies. Not bad for my first litter Cool

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Deano