Interesting Colony Dynamics

[frankykeno]

We normally remove and put each obviously pregnant female rat in her own 10 gallon maternity tub. We recently had one that I wasn't sure was pregnant. She's a big bodied female from a line of really big female rats and she tends to hide pregnancies. Anyways, after quite a long time in with the male in the breeding tub I put her temporarily in with my resting adult females.

Well typical Jet she popped out another one of her "surprise" litters LOL. I got a 10 gallon ready for her and removed her to it, leaving her newborns in the tank with the other adult females (all are experienced mothers). Literally it was for 2 seconds while I placed Jet in the nearby maternity tank. When I went to reach back in and get Jet's babies, boy was I in for a shock!

The other adult females rushed my hands, guarding Jet's newborns and seriously ready to nip me. Not one of them would allow me to touch the now, in their minds, motherless unprotected baby rats! It was quite amazing how so very quickly they took over and stood guard on these babies. I had to get Mike in there with a thick glove to push them back while I quickly moved the babies in with their mother. I removed any trace of the nest, feed all the upset females and left them be. A few hours later they were all back to normal and acted fine with me but I was quite surprised how protective they instantly were to Jet's offspring when Jet "disappeared" and how they were working as a team to keep me off the babies.

These are all females that I regularily remove and inspect their own young so I'm wondering if they were reacting because this was a litter where the mother suddenly disappeared and this caused them to act in this manner? Whatever the reason it was quite interesting. Rather sweet that my normally laid back female rats were all getting some attitude with me.

[Freakie_frog]

And we wonder why they are so prolific in the urban scene.

Great story!! I have become more and more interested in feeder stories now

[Rakshasi]

Wow, that *is* interesting! And, to me, it's impressive, as well. I haven't had a mom have babies in with other experienced moms, and hearing your story makes me hope I never do, hehe. I don't have thick enough gloves, should I ever have to keep other moms away. I also don't usually have a helper when I'm working with the rats, so that would definitely be a challenge.

I, too, am finding a growing interest in feeder stories.