Is this normal, should I seperate them and try another male?

[XoKarma]

I have 3 adult rats, all three have been housed together for a week in a three level rat cage with a hide, bedding, and toys on each level. They have gotten along great, no spits or spats. (two females one male). I guess both of my females went into heat together.

My male rat has them cornered on the bottom level. And while he's on top of one female he's literally biting the other females tail to prevent her from leaving, but aside from the horrible sound she's making he hasn't drawn blood. Both females are attacking him And trying to escape,but he's not showing any signs of giving up.

Is this normal? I've done loads of research on breeding rats and I haven't read anything about this.

[bokuza]

Sounds to me like one female went into heat and its driving your sire bonkers! Are they all the same age?
IMO, i dont put up with overly aggressive males. It's a good sign he hasnt broken skin but if he's stopping the girls from daily activities id feed him off.
He could calm down if this is his first heat cycle but remember, he could also pass these genes down to the pups.

I keep 1.5. If im starting a new group I put a young/weaned male with mature females. The females teach the lad how to behave.

[DooLittle]

Usually I hear squeeks from the rats when the boy is wanting to have his way, and the girls aren't interested, or are done. I've never had any "bloody" fights, so I don't worry too much. Mostly just him saying yes, and her saying no, and putting her little ratty foot down.

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[satomi325]

Seems relatively normal to me.
When the male wants some action and the females don't, he will still try to mount them. The females will squeak, but won't let him mount.

The females will be receptive if they were really in heat.
Females in heat won't resist or make sounds. When the males mount, they will arch their backs to allow him a better entry.

The tail grabbing move just sounds like playing. My females tail grab each other a lot. Are you mistaking biting for possible grooming? When the rat on top is grooming another, the bottom rat will often squeak at first.

If you want to give your females a break, give them a hide that will allow their entry, but with an entrance too small for the male to get through.
According to lab testing, it actually makes the female more receptive if they are given a chance to choose whether or not they want to mate using a 'way out'.

[XoKarma]

He actually injured one of my females to the extent of no return last night. He chewed the opening of her hide until he managed to get in and i didnt witness how, but ripped her throat open. She was beyond help so I fed her off, and he's in his own tub now until feeding day next week.

1.0 ball pythons - Koba
0.1 pitbull/lab - Cinnamon
0.1 collie/elkhound - Fluffy
0.2 children
1.0 boyfriend

[satomi325]

He actually injured one of my females to the extent of no return last night. He chewed the opening of her hide until he managed to get in and i didnt witness how, but ripped her throat open. She was beyond help so I fed her off, and he's in his own tub now until feeding day next week.

1.0 ball pythons - Koba
0.1 pitbull/lab - Cinnamon
0.1 collie/elkhound - Fluffy
0.2 children
1.0 boyfriend

I have never heard of a male injuring a breeding female. Just other males.

That's so unusual. Poor girl.


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[XoKarma]

I don't know, he always seemed mean to me. It was at the back of her neck, so I think maybe she was trying to escape him again and he may have tried too hard to keep her still.. I'm definitely going for an older male this time. One who has sired a few litters atleast.

1.0 ball pythons - Koba
0.1 pitbull/lab - Cinnamon
0.1 collie/elkhound - Fluffy
0.2 children
1.0 boyfriend

[Kaorte]

Jeez, even male rats can't "keep it in their pants" so to speak :/

Thats scary!! poor lady rat

[MrLang]

I guess I'll go ahead and provide my females with little whistles around their necks

[angllady2]

Unfortunately, it does happen. I've had one male rat who acted that way, and several male mice who did. They always get fed off. I give him a little time to make sure it's just not him being overeager, but if the female flips over trying to ward him off, or if he won't leave her alone to eat or sleep, he goes.

Gale