Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last night I replenished all of my rats food. One tub I had 8 rats in. I just checked on them and I found a completely eaten rat. There was almost nothing left of it, pretty much just its skin. Even its skull was gone. Anyone ever have this happen?

I've had mice do it... more than once too, even with plenty of food and water

It was pretty weird. There wasn't any hair left either.

Mice are different. If one is weak, it's killed and eaten. Rats have a different social structure, and are nothing like Mice in that regard.
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South Central Herpetological

It's very common when a rat dies the others eat it.

Eric
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www.ESReptiles.com

...if one dies from "natural" causes, yes, they will often eat the remains. Poisoned or diseased rats will be left to rot.

*I'm not saying anyone has poisoned or diseased rats in their collections, just trying to give a little more insight.

they have no water, they eat one of themselves to survive.....
second check food....
third...if one dies they don't waste it...

.......other than that......it shouldn't happen.........
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I asked the vet I take my snakes to about this same thing. . . she said that it has to do with not getting enough protien