Failed live feeding (rat got smart)

[Bogertophis]

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.

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! 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?-