How do i tell if a rat is an ASF?

[Mochelem]

I was just curious about the rats i buy from a local pet store if they are ASF or not... How do I tell?

[blackcrystal22]

ASF's are mice-size.
They are almost always white with different shades of brown (some almost black) in blotches and spots.

Heres some pictures.




Hope that clarifies some things.

[Mochelem]

Yes thank you, the rats I buy look a lot different than that. The adults are much larger and have shorter hair. Thank you

[Corrupter]

Well the ASFs are about twice the size of mice (at least mine are)but still alot smaller than a rat. I think the crazy eyeballs and hamster-like fur is what really distinguishes them

[SapphireTigress]

What always gets me is their ears! They are so awesome. Also, their fur is more ruffled and has a hint of curl to it.



And the price for them would be much higher. The local herp store here sold 1:3 for $30 until he decided not to carry them and we bought them up.

[blackcrystal22]

Well the ASFs are about twice the size of mice (at least mine are)but still alot smaller than a rat. I think the crazy eyeballs and hamster-like fur is what really distinguishes them

Ahaha, that reminds me. The other day when I had to pick up a mouse from Petco (smell issues) I noticed a size difference.. to me they always looked mouse-size but they are a bit bigger and longer haired. They also have much bigger eyes than I expected compared to a mouse.

It's been so long since I've had actual mice..

[Corrupter]

Yeah I hate keeping mice but I have a couple females that occasionally refuse f/t or even live rats and the only thing they will take is small live mice. I keep 1 tank of mice because of this. I just let them breed or do whatever they want until they are needed. If it gets crowded, I feed them off I bought an ASF trio 1:2 in march and only one female had babies, then the male died randomly so I waited for the males from the only litter I got to grow up and make tons of babies with all of the females. I just noticed 3 females looking rather pear-shaped tonight so hopefully more will come

[blackcrystal22]

Yeah I hate keeping mice but I have a couple females that occasionally refuse f/t or even live rats and the only thing they will take is small live mice. I keep 1 tank of mice because of this. I just let them breed or do whatever they want until they are needed. If it gets crowded, I feed them off I bought an ASF trio 1:2 in march and only one female had babies, then the male died randomly so I waited for the males from the only litter I got to grow up and make tons of babies with all of the females. I just noticed 3 females looking rather pear-shaped tonight so hopefully more will come

My main female gets HUGE when shes about to blow.
I hate to pick her up by her tail (cause it can hurt them but she gets so nippy when shes in season) and you can see her just overflowing with babies. Aha.
I might have to get another tank for mice if I can't get my bp to switch. Ugh.

[sjsexotics]

hate to say it but they are freackin cute now I have to breed them too but man I guess I have to feed them to the snakes to lol