Good news and bad. (Gruesome pics at the end)

[rabernet]

ASF's are illegal in CA, so I doubt you'll find any in San Diego.

ASF's will not breed domestic rats - they're not compatible in size at all.

If you take the one back, the one you keep is going to need a friend at some point, they do best with a buddy.

[pythontricker]

Why are asf's illegal? Aren't they more well bred than normal rats and are more healthy? thats weird. Ok where can I get some quality normal rats in san diego? preferably not albino.

[pythontricker]

I have been searching for like an hour. I can't find anyone. some but not too many. they won't pick up and they have all these wavers that you have to sign that say you can't breed them for feeders or feed them.

[littleindiangirl]

I have been searching for like an hour. I can't find anyone. some but not too many. they won't pick up and they have all these wavers that you have to sign that say you can't breed them for feeders or feed them.

Your looking in the wrong areas.

Stay away from fancy rat breeders, they will not sell to you.

Make a post asking for any feeder breeders any one knows of in your area. Best way to find others.

[greghall]

from what I hear ASF's are illegal in cali!

[marmie]

from what I hear ASF's are illegal in cali!

They definitely are but that doesn't mean people in CA don't have them. If you ask around you'll find someone to sell you a few. Personally, they scare me with there bad temperament so I'll just stick with regular rats.

Pythontricker, check with your local reptile store (that exclusively deals with reptiles) and get a few feeders to start a colony or you can check with some local reptile enthusiast to see if they are breeding their own and would sell you a few. If you ever make it down to the San Fernando Valley, I'd gladly give you a few of mine to start up a nice solid colony. I also know one ball breeder in the San Diego area that might be willing to sell you some of his rats so PM me if you'd like to give him a call. He is not a member of this site.

[pythontricker]

all the petsores (ie. petco petsmart) only sell females. the other privately owned petstores like pet kingdom are on;y selling feeders. not pet quality. I have asked a few breeders like johns jungle and professional breeders ( live within an hour of me) if they have any, no reply to my message via cell phone yet. so we will see. Time is the only answer at this point. lol

[marmie]

all the petsores (ie. petco petsmart) only sell females. the other privately owned petstores like pet kingdom are on;y selling feeders. not pet quality. I have asked a few breeders like johns jungle and professional breeders ( live within an hour of me) if they have any, no reply to my message via cell phone yet. so we will see. Time is the only answer at this point. lol

Healthy feeders are fine. I've got a boy in QT right now that I bought from the local feeder breeder for $1.50 and I've had him for over 3 weeks. So far he is showing no signs of illness. I'll move him to my established colony once 90 days has passed.

Jon from Jon's Jungle doesn't breed rats so he most likely won't call you back. But Sunrise Reptiles in SD does so give Matt a call and see if he can hook you up.

[pythontricker]

I know he doesn't. But he has a good buddy that should be able to give me some. maybe steve o. has some. Idk. whatever happens happens. I might just get some feeders.

[pythontricker]

I have a question,
please answer!
Can I house one male rat in a cage by himself with no other male in there? Or is that just out of the question.
In other words are rats ok to live by themselves permanently? I don't wan't to stress it out. I will breed the rat to the two other females though. thanks.