Just got a colony of 2.7... and a question about a norway rat (pics)

Just got a group of 2.7 ASFs. They came from a much larger colony, and I haven't noticed any aggression between them... I've heard they can be pretty nasty with strangers. I love that they have hardly any smell. Is there anything that I should know about ASFs specifically, compared to norvegicus? I'm noticing that the ASFs are very similar to hamsters in some ways as far as personality goes, and they're very intersting to interact with.

Also.. I know this is not an ASF question, but I just decided to lump it into this post. I ended up with a rat pup that was considerably smaller than all his siblings. I've since moved him to another mom that had a smaller litter. Would you think he is a runt, or there's a chance he's a dwarf rat? He's been developing normally, healthy, active... just extremely small:

(next to his littermate)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/...c9d1cf81c8.jpg


Here are a couple pics from the ASF colony-

She is actually a light beige/fawn color with a white blaze down her forehead.. I apologize, I haven't learned all the ASF "proper names" for colors just yet =P
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/...79cb342568.jpg

I've named her badger.. because of the markings on her face. She also is the first to come over and check out my hand, and the most tolerant of being handled. She'll hang out on my shoulder too =)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/...002b97d3fb.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/...fc88bd3f06.jpg

be happy you can hold them, lol, the little boogers i have bite!!

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Originally Posted by GR8DANE

be happy you can hold them, lol, the little boogers i have bite!!

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Haha yeah I've heard of them being biters. None of these ones have bred with me yet, I've only had them a week. I expect their temperament to change once they have babies to protect... I've seen the colony where I got them from when my friend reaches in with tongs. I don't really want my hand to be stripped to bone. Evil villians should dip their victims into a tub of nursing ASFs instead of Piranhas :P

I'm thinking of picking up a couple soon. I saw them labeled as Dumbo rats at the pet store the other day. Would be nice to get a feel for breeding now.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

I'm thinking of picking up a couple soon. I saw them labeled as Dumbo rats at the pet store the other day. Would be nice to get a feel for breeding now.

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You saw ASFs marked as dumbo rats?

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

You saw ASFs marked as dumbo rats?

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x2

are you sure they weren't just dumbo rats?

Going by looks alone yes it's possible that the little blue kit is a dwarf but you won't know for a fact till they hit 4-5 weeks old and the others keep growing and it stays smalls.
In my litters that throw dwarfs they look about that size compared to their siblings.

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

Going by looks alone yes it's possible that the little blue kit is a dwarf but you won't know for a fact till they hit 4-5 weeks old and the others keep growing and it stays smalls.
In my litters that throw dwarfs they look about that size compared to their siblings.

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I'm definitely keeping an eye on him (or her, I guess. I haven't bothered to check yet). They're nearly on hard food, mostly still attached to mom. Here's to hoping for a healthy baby!

Mine don't bite when I hold them...they like to jump so I make sure my thumb holds their tail. Yes if there are babies anyone in the colony will bite. If they are from the same colony they will be fine. I had a male that got beat up really bad by the mom because he was trying to steal the babies.

The baby rat looks under developed to me. And his skull looks strangely shaped. I would say not a dwarf, but a runt.


As for your ASFs, the first one is an Argente with headspot variegation, and the second one is a cinnamon with headspot variegation. :)
Please feel free to ask me about ASF genetics. I'm even working out an entire chart with photos and descriptions of all colors and marking types!