Pregnant?

So, when rats become pregnant, do they consume VAST amounts of food? Last week, the bowl I put in lasted a week. THIS week, I put in fresh food on Saturday and it's ALL gone!

I did witness Caesar doing his job last Tuesday, and he's not as frantic about breeding now, they're all just lazing away. Should I expect some babies in a little more than 2 weeks from now? Should I????? LOL

Oh, and I noticed that I can see where the females nipples are, although not swollen. Is that also a good sign that we have lift off?

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Originally Posted by rabernet

So, when rats become pregnant, do they consume VAST amounts of food? Last week, the bowl I put in lasted a week. THIS week, I put in fresh food on Saturday and it's ALL gone!

I did witness Caesar doing his job last Tuesday, and he's not as frantic about breeding now, they're all just lazing away. Should I expect some babies in a little more than 2 weeks from now? Should I????? LOL

Oh, and I noticed that I can see where the females nipples are, although not swollen. Is that also a good sign that we have lift off?

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Hrm, I havn't noticed mine eating a lot more, but my rats are pigs and I feed using toppers. :) Have you searched for hidden stores of food?

I would say the boobies getting bigger is a good sign, but a definite good sign is when they start to nest (dont expect that for another week or so). I would say if you saw them doing it, then expect babies :).

Thanks! I was sort of hoping for babies over Thanksgiving, but looks like if he got them pregnant last Tuesday/Wednesday, that he'll be moving out the following week. Gonna have to hold back one of his sons so he can have a buddy in the future when he has to leave the ladies.

Mine always eat like piggies LOL but do check for those hidden food stores, they will sometimes do that when they have a tad too much food around (rats like to plan ahead LOL). Just watch for a distinct pear shape. Once mine go pear I pull them into the maternity tanks I have ready. I did have a surprise litter the other week. My female Jet seemed to have not bred so I left her in with the male for another try. Never showed one sign she was preggie but then she's a very big female like her mom Alita, then one day....bingo...7 fat pinks. LOL Thanks goodness male rats are good with their offspring!

sometimes it is hard to even tell that rats are pregnant until just a few days before they give birth, but then suddenly their sides practically explode outward. there is no mistaking what that means! :D

Congratulations! We just had our first litter on Halloween. There was no mistaking the female's growth aswell as "pak Ratting" all the food. :D