Rat breeding steps

So right now I only have one Bp, working on a second. I have two small rats in a 20 gallon long tank. I think they are both girlscause nothing is "happening". So I am going to buy a male cause when I feed my bp I have to drive 25-30 miles and buy a $5 rat every 5 days or so. So my question is do I have to do anything special to breed them? Or can I put a male in there and let them do the work. How often do they breed again?

Christian

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Originally Posted by Orangephoner

So right now I only have one Bp, working on a second. I have two small rats in a 20 gallon long tank. I think they are both girlscause nothing is "happening". So I am going to buy a male cause when I feed my bp I have to drive 25-30 miles and buy a $5 rat every 5 days or so. So my question is do I have to do anything special to breed them? Or can I put a male in there and let them do the work. How often do they breed again?

Christian

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Well, you can identify males by their GIANT "sack of jewels". It's rather unmistakable.
I'm guessing you have two rats of the same gender if their genitals look the same.

You don't have to do anything special.
Just put the male and females together and they will work their magic. Approximately 22 days after mating, you will get your first litter. And about 4-5 weeks after that, the litter should be fully weaned. They breed as often as you want them to.
If you keep the male with the females full time, the females can go into heat hours after giving birth. If this happens, the next litter will be born right after the previous litter is weaning.
Personally I like to give females breaks between litters, but that's really up to you.

Yeah a 2 week break for the ladies is good. Just put papa noms in a 5-10 gallon tank and he should be happy in there by himself.

How many are usually in a litter?

Christian

usually 5-20.. usually in the mid teens

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Originally Posted by Orangephoner

How many are usually in a litter?

Christian

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The average is 8-12. But there are exceptions +/-.
The most someone ever reported here was 32.

Wow. So it really wouldn't take much to keep one or two snakes going then huh?

Christian

yeah...your best bet would be to use babies for a personal f/t supply, or just get more snakes lool

i have had a pair of rats for about a month and still nothing has happend. they're in a big tub with wire windows and lid.

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Originally Posted by JaGv

i have had a pair of rats for about a month and still nothing has happend. they're in a big tub with wire windows and lid.

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"Irreconcilable differences"