Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the max high and low temps for breeding rats? I have a colony of about 100 breeder females and we have been losing litters since it has turned cooler. I have always thought as long as it stayed above freezing they would be fine. What do you guys say.
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not sure the exact temps they want or can handle for a low....I have mine in the basement ....60 would be more than fine....if yours are outside and it's getting like 40 ish....even down in the 50 ish range you may want a heater running in there.....

.....you might have to help by using a food with more fat ? in the winter....not sure if it would help.....my thoughts say it would but it's been a looong time sice I studied rt and mouse breeding.....

.....the temps that will be listed in care pages will seem even more drastic than you think.....it will be higher than 60....

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....Google.......rat club pages ......
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LOL......

I have always understood 60-80F to be ideal, with a wind proof and perhaps even insulated nest box they would probably do ok down in the 40s or a little lower. Rabbits prefer 40-60F but most rodents slow or stop breeding in colder weather.
Claude

I have a 10 x 10 rat room in my garage that I use a heater to keep about 74 degrees year round. I also keep them on a 12 / 12 light cycle. Im not sure if the light cycle helps but it doesnt seem to hurt. Hope this helps
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Damian Macioce
www.strongholdreptiles.com

what kind of temps are your rats experiencing? It's pretty cold here (about 45/20F hi/lo outside). My rats are in an uninsulated basement in glass aquariums and the temps are between 55-65F without any heat source. They are breeding normally.

I bred them like this all last winter without problems. I would try not to go under 50F though. I heard breeding falls off after that.

the real question is why do I never have enough rats....