Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My rats absolutely LOVE wax worms. I started feeding the very pregant females a few a few days before their 2nd litter as a treat. And every day since then I've been giving them each a few a day (they actually climb the cage and wait for them). So far the babies (I left six in there to grow after culling a litter of 20 for the snakes)are fat and happy, and the moms look well on their way for their next litter.

Has anyone else used waxworms to supplement their rats? Or am I just spoiling them? It seems to have helped putting back on some much needed body mass after birth. I know they have a high fat content, but isn't that needed anyways when the mom is nursing and pregant at the same time?

Also, I have three rat pups in there that are going to be my next colony. 1.2 . They are 2 weeks old tomorrow, how soon will they been weaned and old enough to seperate from the rest of the group. And will having a few pups in there affect them with their next litter (i.e. cannabilisim)?

Thanks
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Chantel a.k.a. sillygirl
"I came, I saw, I adopted"

2.3.0 green anoles (Stumpy (M)), and the rest remain nameless.
2.2.0 green tree frogs (Romeo & Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde)
0.0.3 D. tinctorius (Cobalt froglets)
0.1 Anerythristic 'B' (Charcoal)corn snake (Popcorn)
0.1 Snow Corn (KandyKorn)
0.2 Amel Corns (KornSilk & KornMuffin)
0.0.1 Normal Corn (PepperKorn)
1.0 Creamsicle Corn (Kream)
0.0.1 Giant African Millipede
2.4 Domestic house cats (Bad Boy (m), Bart(m),Sasha(F),Little Bit(F),Spirit(F)
1.0 Rottweiler (Jake)
1.2 Rats (new additions with no names yet)
1.4 Mice (My step-daughter seems to think they are pets)
1.0 Husband (David, who loves all my critters too)

>>Has anyone else used waxworms to supplement their rats? Or am I just spoiling them?

They will love any bugs if they are like my rodents. It is a treat IMO. Feed some cat kibble for weight and all.

>>
>>Also, I have three rat pups in there that are going to be my next colony. 1.2 . They are 2 weeks old tomorrow, how soon will they been weaned and old enough to seperate from the rest of the group. And will having a few pups in there affect them with their next litter (i.e. cannabilisim)?

Wean at 4-5weeks Move them if you want but it shouldn't affect cannabalism. Though the girl pups may breed awfully soon then. I like to hold mine til 10wks-12wks minimum. They will breed at 6-8wks.
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

I have fed silkworms to my rats and they certainly love them. They snatch them up eagerly as they do any form of meat I give them. However, they only had silkworms cause I had a surplus of them after my bearded dragon decide she wanted to brumate one week after my large order of silkworms arrived.