Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So i built a rack with two tubs two days ago(I know, miniskewl(sp?), but im only feeding one lizard and i think 1.4 is plenty) and today, i come home from work to here babies. 1 month after buying my original 1.2 (bought .2 2 days ago) I got babies. I cant tell how many are in there, but its >= 5. I refuse to open it up to get a better inspection till i talk with the experts on here. I dont wanna stress the rat into killin her pups, and since this is no doubt her first litter, im a little edgie.

So, my question(s) are as follows:

1. How early can I open that bin up to do an official count?

2. As far as the blood in there, should I attempt to take most of it out of there, or should I leave it there. Its all fresh substrate, other than the blood and a few dropings.

3. Is there anything that I should do/stay away from doing to maximize survival.

My first rat birth, first of many. thanks for the help.

Truth

sorry.

The reason I mainly wanna go in there and touch the kids is that i see many that are away from the mother and look like they are being neglected. The more I see the shredded paper move, the more I think that there are over 10 in there. I counted at least 8.

Should I go in there and move the pups in with their siblings, or just trust the mother?

Just leave her alone for a few days, peeking in every once in awhile can cause stress in the mother. As for the babies movign around, it could be the other females are trying to 'steal' them to nurse. As long as nobody is killing the babies, I would just let them do what comes naturally. In a few days, or on cleaning day whichever comes latest, you can do a more accurate count. Be careful as some rat moms are very protective of their first litters, especially if they don't really knew you (ie, you don't handle or hang around your rats since you bought them to get them used to you).

My rat just had her second litter. I go in hours after she gives birth, take her out (be carefull you might want some THICK gloves) she might lunge at your hands. wash your hands before picking the babies up (I do that just to make sure I don't get them sick) and do a count, put them all back in the nest, put the nest back the way it was, and put her back in there. I personally don't use enough bedding or nesting material so she can completely cover up her and the babies, just enough to cover the babies up when she is not in the nest.

try going to www.[bleep] they have an awesome forum on it. Most of the people that go breed rats pick them up the same day they are born. I do and have had no problems at all.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 0.1 western hognose