Failed live feeding (rat got smart)

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Originally Posted by MedicalAuthor

So, update:

• Lucky is now pet Lucky and has a three-story cage (Merry manor)
• I thought Lucky was a boy, got her a boy cage mate from the pet store feeder bin (tried to look for a rescue/breeder but found none). Albino rat now named Snowy
• After seeing Snowy's package, I realize Lucky is a girl
• Now I have a girl and boy rat, both named, with nowhere to 'return' them without basically signing their death warrant. So I'm looking for a home for them. Harder than it looks.

This may be a cruel option but if Lucky does end up pregnant I wonder if the pet store would take her back and keep her alive as a feeder mom. That sounds horrible thinking about it but it feels like doing nothing means soon I'll have a bunch of baby rats.

In other news, my snake just successfully shed. Maybe that also played into why he didn't properly take Lucky in the first palce.

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It's usually pretty easy to tell males from females as soon as they start to mature, but... well, now that you've seen, you know exactly what I mean for future reference. If you have one of each, you will very quickly have many of both. Either be prepared to feed the offspring to your reptiles, or separate them! There is no such thing as platonic relationships in rodents, and if left together you'll have pups born litter upon litter, which isn't good for the female. When I was breeding, I always made sure to cycle females away from the males as soon as they were confirmed pregnant, and give them at least two months in a 'sorority cage' after they weaned the pups, before they went back with a male. Otherwise, they'll be pregnant again as soon as they've given birth.

Yeah, I messed up on that. Just had Lucky, the now-confirmed female, and was trying to observe her behind and thought I saw a bulge there. Should have picked her up. Now with the male I see there's no 'hmm, maaaaybe those are testicles?' You know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedicalAuthor

So, update:

• Lucky is now pet Lucky and has a three-story cage (Merry manor)
• I thought Lucky was a boy, got her a boy cage mate from the pet store feeder bin (tried to look for a rescue/breeder but found none). Albino rat now named Snowy
• After seeing Snowy's package, I realize Lucky is a girl
• Now I have a girl and boy rat, both named, with nowhere to 'return' them without basically signing their death warrant. So I'm looking for a home for them. Harder than it looks.

This may be a cruel option but if Lucky does end up pregnant I wonder if the pet store would take her back and keep her alive as a feeder mom. That sounds horrible thinking about it but it feels like doing nothing means soon I'll have a bunch of baby rats.

In other news, my snake just successfully shed. Maybe that also played into why he didn't properly take Lucky in the first palce.

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If your snake just shed, that's most likely why the previous meal was rejected- FYI, snakes can "feel" a shed coming BEFORE we can see any evidence. I've learned to take my snake's "word" for it.

Poor time to mention this, but mature (or nearly-mature) male rats & male mice are very "obvious" (their testicles seem huge for their size). ;) OOPS! :oops: LOL

Unless you're going to keep breeding rats (sell offspring locally?) you might try to sell or place them as pets- run ads, check with pet shelters & vet offices (many have bulletin boards for rehoming purposes).

If you're keeping them together, I can pretty much guarantee (!) that Lucky is already pregnant- BUT if they're not yet together, KEEP them apart.

This was an expensive mistake for feeders ("Merry Manor" etc) but I hope you find a good solution for all. Of the pet rats I've had in the past, the females often make better pets, or at least they're not as large & restless- rats are nocturnal so if you're trying to sleep in the same room, that matters a great deal. So if you prefer Lucky to Snowy, you might keep her after she has her "inevitable" litter- & since rats are social, I'd keep one of her daughters to keep her company if you part with Snowy. (Make sure you get the sex right, lol.) All this is your decision though- All the best.

If you can manage to post good photos of your rat's "behinds", we can help you sex them. But you'll likely need a second pair of hands- ie. someone to take good photos while the other holds the rats. The pet store SHOULD have been accurate about that, assuming you specified the gender needed?-:rolleyes:

You might also try a video for help: (this one finally gets to actual rats around 2:30 minutes, lol) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcc8YDGqDkw

Ah, all good info. I will run stuff on craigslist. I think we are for having pet rats now (my son is into it, my other son is the one who 'owns' the snake) so the cage won't go to waste regardless.

And I didn't specify the sex of Lucky when I got her because at the time she was just Viper's snack.

Lucky is still pretty small, got her as a hopper, but I'm guessing they can get pregnant shortly after weaning?

Perhaps I will give away Snowy (albino male) right now, if Lucky is pregnant let her have her litter, feed most of the babies to Viper, and keep one or two.

Will Lucky 'know' I've taken her babies? I.e., will this mess up her ability to be a sociable pet rat for me and my son?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedicalAuthor

Ah, all good info. I will run stuff on craigslist. I think we are for having pet rats now (my son is into it, my other son is the one who 'owns' the snake) so the cage won't go to waste regardless.

And I didn't specify the sex of Lucky when I got her because at the time she was just Viper's snack.

Lucky is still pretty small, got her as a hopper, but I'm guessing they can get pregnant shortly after weaning?

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Rats make good pets- but yes, they might get pregnant at a much younger age than they should. I'm actually glad that none of my current snakes need rats as feeders- I'd much rather feed mice, as I still very much like rats just as pets. They're pretty intelligent (trainable), social & even affectionate. And (need I say?) always willing to share a snack, haha.