Question on Dumbo Rats

At what age can you tell if a baby is a dumbo? Wisdom's babies (my dumbo female) are 3 weeks old tomorrow. There are a few that look like they might have lower set ears, but I don't know if I'm imagining it or not (or wishing it). At what age is it obvious?

It is easy to tell once they are at the pup stage as their ears will be noticibly bigger than their normal brothers and sisters.

But you can tell at about 3 days if you know what to look for. It really has to do with where the ears are set on the head...as dumbos are much lower then top ears.

I will try to take and post some pics later today.

Oh I'm glad you asked this Robin because I was wondering the exact same thing with our only Dumbo female, Dee. Now just to double check though, Dee's a Dumbo and was mated to a normal Top Eared male rat. So her babies would only be basically 100% het for Dumbo anyways right? Normal eared but carrying the Dumbo ear gene? So I'd have to either mate Dee to a Dumbo male to get Dumbo's or mate two sibs or one of her sons back to Dee right?

Unfortunately I didn't note who Dee's parents were in the colony as the litter she was born into was slated for feeding. Apparently I already have two hets for Dumbo that produced Dee but I can't remember who they are! I'm usually so darn good at keeping records but one of the few times I really needed to do that...I spazzed out and didn't! :tricho:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Now just to double check though, Dee's a Dumbo and was mated to a normal Top Eared male rat. So her babies would only be basically 100% het for Dumbo anyways right? Normal eared but carrying the Dumbo ear gene? So I'd have to either mate Dee to a Dumbo male to get Dumbo's or mate two sibs or one of her sons back to Dee right?

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You are correct :D

Another quick Dumbo question - sorry for the hijack Robin - but I can't seem to find a good answer on this issue. Is the genetics that create the lower set ears and the slightly different face of a Dumbo related to any genetic faults? In other words when choosing to create Dumbo eared rats am I risking in any way bringing a slightly less than good genetic line into my colony? I just want to make sure that what I do doesn't hurt the rats or if I need to be very careful in which male I breed Dee to as her next litter will start the steps to producing my own Dumbo's (this current litter of hers being all marked as feeders).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Another quick Dumbo question - sorry for the hijack Robin - but I can't seem to find a good answer on this issue. Is the genetics that create the lower set ears and the slightly different face of a Dumbo related to any genetic faults? In other words when choosing to create Dumbo eared rats am I risking in any way bringing a slightly less than good genetic line into my colony? I just want to make sure that what I do doesn't hurt the rats or if I need to be very careful in which male I breed Dee to as her next litter will start the steps to producing my own Dumbo's (this current litter of hers being all marked as feeders).

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This is my opinion (got to get this in upfront no adays :D )

I haven't seen or heard of any genetic defects related specifically to dumbo eared rats. In fact 75% of my breeders are either Dumbo or Dumbo carries and I have no higher incidents of cancer, RI or other common diseases then in my normal kids.

I have noticed that my Dumbo breeders (both boys and girls) seemed to be more laid back and like to interact with me more...but this could just be coinicidence (sp?). My dumbos are also very hardy and produce my largest litters (compared to my Het Dumbo or Normals)...again could just be coincidence.

Of course, I only have one Dumbo - but she most definitely is my most outgoing rat. She clamors to be let out and visit with me. She also thinks she should imitate a pogo stick to get my attention - boing, boing, boing, boing!


She had 14 for her first litter.

Thanks Sean, that sets my mind to rest on that issue. I will say that Dee is one of our most laid back adults. It could be how kind of goofy she looks when she's sitting up on her haunches, those huge doofus ears of hers laid back and she's happily munching on something. You just can't help but giggle at her! Extremely good mom too...she's on her first litter right now and you couldn't ask for a more committed momma rat.

One thing does seem interesting with this current litter. Some of them, even though obviously top eared have well....huge ears! I wonder if Dee's big Dumbo ears are affecting the size of some of her offsprings ears even if it's not affecting the ear placement.

Joanna,


I think that's what's confusing me with Wisdom's litter - some of them have bigger ears than the others. But I'm not convinced that they are side set vs. top set. I think I'm staring at them too much! Got my eye on one of the girls for holding back as well - I'm a sucker for the creams! They're just so darn cute - and this one always has the "tosseled" look on her head.

Robin we HAVE to STOP sharing the same brain! I've been staring at some of Dee's babies till my eyes cross and I seriously wonder if I'm losing it. Their ears aren't like the others (why oh why do I suddenly hear the Seasame Street theme song LOL) but they aren't truly dumbo low set ears either!

Why does this keep happening with us????

Sorry ladies my bad...I tried getting pics yesterday but didn't have 2. I had a litter born 2 days ago so they should be big enough to tell and that should have some Dumbos so I will try and get you some pics today.

Sorry for the delay.

Well I couldn't find any 2-3 day old Dumbos in the mix but I did find one at about 4-5 days old.


Top Ear (notice the direction of the ear canal and notice the cartlidge (sp?) ridge especially at the top of the ear)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...tos/TopEar.jpg

Dumbo (again notice direction of ear canal more upward - and the lack of cartiledge around the ear)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...otos/Dumbo.jpg

It is subtle but once you see what you are looking for it makes it much easier.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Yup, that definitely helps, thank you!


One thing I've noticed is that Wisdom's litter is a lot more relaxed than the other girls' litters. I don't handle much unless I plan to promote, and usually the first few handling sessions are spent calming the babies down and building trust. With two beige barebacks from Wisdom's litter that I'm considering promoting (since I have a couple girls close to retirement), when I had them out today for handling - they both relaxed immediately and began washing their faces, as if handling was no big deal.

I do think that temperment is partly genetic, and these girls seemed to have inherited Wisdom's calm, easy going nature.

I've noticed that the few dumbos that I have seem more laid back also. It's interesting that their attitude might be genetic . . . .

They are very sweet... And so cute!


But all rats are in my opinion. :D