Found baby rats

So this morning I got woken up by my dad yelling "OMG COME LOOK AT THIS!" So we went outside and next to our pond was 2 baby rats... One dead and one just laying there. (Don't worry, definitely not feeding them to the snakes) I looked around and found momma rat. Looked as if she had gotten stuck and died. Now all these little rat babies are emerging from their hole. Their eyes are open, but they don't look so well. I'm guessing they are starved. So what's the best thing to do? Just let die? I feel bad just leaving them in a bucket to die...

Try nursing them with goats milk.

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Originally Posted by CaGirl5

So this morning I got woken up by my dad yelling "OMG COME LOOK AT THIS!" So we went outside and next to our pond was 2 baby rats... One dead and one just laying there. (Don't worry, definitely not feeding them to the snakes) I looked around and found momma rat. Looked as if she had gotten stuck and died. Now all these little rat babies are emerging from their hole. Their eyes are open, but they don't look so well. I'm guessing they are starved. So what's the best thing to do? Just let die? I feel bad just leaving them in a bucket to die...

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If they're left alone, they will die without their mother.
If you want to, you can take them to a wildlife center and they will probably raise them up. Or, you can nurse them with kitten formula in a little bottle found at any petstore and raise them up yourself.

I don't think a wildlife rescue will take them in.. They are considered pests.
When they're eyes are open, they are in the process of weaning.
You can supplement with kitten milk replace, and feed them stuff like cooked peas and pasta. Look up "list of forbidden food for rats"

I would raise them or kill them(or turn them over to someone who will). I know in nature that they would die or become food for something else, but if I'm aware, I feel a obligation to do something to ensure it's the most humane thing.

Thank you. So far 3 died and 2 are doing okay. I'm feeding them kitten formula and they've both had a little.

Any updates? Are the two viable pups still alive?

Id leave them be and allow mother nature to do what she does best.