I'm perplexed

[rabernet]

So, Ms Scarlett had her third litter four weeks ago, probably today. I got back from NC four weeks ago tomorrow and discovered that she had her litter either the day before or the night before and was still with Caesar.

I quickly separated her from Caesar and put her into her own maternity tank and she's raised these babies wonderfully.

So, last night I notice that she looks incredibly pregnant again (but 28 days after being with Caesar).

Do rats "retain" sperm at all? I would have thought that if he got her pregnant in that 24 hours, I would have seen babies a week ago.

I even checked my calendar to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind - yup - this litter is four weeks old (and she is now in a new maternity tank by herself).

I like to rest my females after their litters are weaned or taken from them, so I'm a bit upset that she's having back to back litters, but she appears to be maintaining good weight. I don't have any other nursing moms at the moment (in fact, Foxy and Twix have been with Caesar since she was pulled from him, and neither of them show signs of pregnancy yet).

[Petboy15]

I dont know, but Im pretty sure they can retain sperm. I have 2 females who have looked VERY prgnant for at least 1 to 1.5 weeks. It's driving me Im getting sick of looking at these fatties! And sick of buying rats!

Anyways, not really sure, but Im having a similar situation

[Jahbeard]

Not that I'm an expert, but I recently read that female rats go into heat relativly soon after giving birth. I think it was something like two to five days, and then not again until the litter is weaned. So if she was in there with a boy she could have gotten pregnant again, but it would appear that it was a longer gestation. If I can find the site again is it ok to post a link here? It was very comprehensive, and well stated, I thought. If that fits you time frames then it might be an explanation.

[rabernet]

Yes, you can post a link that adds to a discussion!

[Jahbeard]

Here it is. http://www.ratbehavior.org/PostPartumConception.htm

The home tab is at the bottom, and there is a lot of what I thought was good, easy to read information.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Do rats "retain" sperm at all? I would have thought that if he got her pregnant in that 24 hours, I would have seen babies a week ago.

I know mice can get pregnant again within hours of having a litter and I would not doubt that rats are the same so even if she stayed as little as 24 hours after giving birth I would think it was sufficient.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Found this on this site http://ratguide.com/breeding/basics/statistics.php

Return of estrus after delivery- 12-24 hours

[rabernet]

Yes, I know she could have gotten pregnant while still with Caesar - my question is, she's not been with a male for FOUR weeks, and gestation is just THREE weeks - is a four week gestation not unheard of?

[Jahbeard]

The link I posted talks about delayed implantation due to nursing, at about 32 days.

[rabernet]

The link I posted talks about delayed implantation due to nursing, at about 32 days.

That explains it - so, we should be seeing babies the middle of next week (figuring about 32 days after the first birth).

Thanks!