...babies! i returned from christmas travels last night to a nice healthy looking litter from my first ever rat momma. :) there looks to be about 11-14 babies--i didn't want to disturb them too much but took a quick estimate while i gave mom some peas for a nice treat. female #2 looks to be due now any day too--her sides are buldging out and she looks ready to pop.
in other news, i had separated the males from the females while i was away because i knew they were due soon. they were in a plastic tub on top of the girls' wire cage, clamped shut with those black office supply clips (which has held many a rat just fine before). well, my friend who was taking care of all the animals for me called last night to say she found the boys' cage upside down on the floor, lid off, and no rats in sight! how they did it i don't know, but luckily they hadn't gone far and were quickly found hiding behind the aquarium holding my 2 younger girls. silly boys!