momma burying babies?

[Danegerous]

just wondering, ever have a mom rat bury her day old babies? She was real good with cleaning em up and taking care of em, but today she buried them. I had to dig em out and they were all fine and now she is back to taking care of them again. what gives?

[littleindiangirl]

No worries, she's covering them up because she's most likely taking a break from nursing, cleaning, warming etc. She will cover them up with a lot of her bedding material to keep them warm and hidden while she eats, drinks and rests. Later she will return, dig them out and carry on her mommy duties. No need to interfere, she's most likely got it well under control.

[panthercz]

Yep they do that all time then come back and un-bury them to nurse.

[ch312]

the best thing you can do? make sure theres plenty of food and fresh water for momma and let nature take its course. animals are programmed to know how to care for their young.

one of my dwarf hamsters buried all of her 2 day old young the other day and i thought she ate them all...they were completely buried. im guessing she does this to keep them warm.

the other female that is with a male has never buried the babies but keeps a perfect little nest. the male and female take turns having a break from the young and from what ive heard, rats are the same.