Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 first time mother rats.
The first one birthed 11 and nursed so all is good.
4 days later the second mother birthed 8, and she has not nursed at all(that i've seen).
Q: is this common and will she start-learn from the other one that is trying to nurse both litters now???

on a side note; Maybe not good practice but between litters I feed FK mice so if I have live left overs I put them in with the rats. Haven't had a problem doing this for about 8 months.
Well this female mouse is trying to nurse the pups it blew me away!!!
Thanks for any replies
TomChambers

>>I have 2 first time mother rats.
>>The first one birthed 11 and nursed so all is good.
>>4 days later the second mother birthed 8, and she has not nursed at all(that i've seen).
>>Q: is this common and will she start-learn from the other one that is trying to nurse both litters now???
>>
>>on a side note; Maybe not good practice but between litters I feed FK mice so if I have live left overs I put them in with the rats. Haven't had a problem doing this for about 8 months.
>>Well this female mouse is trying to nurse the pups it blew me away!!!
>>Thanks for any replies
>>TomChambers

Just check the babies tummys and see if there is a white balloon of milk in each. That will tell you if they are being fed.
As to the mouse. I had a mouse mom raise a meadow vole pup. My dog had killed the mom and litter in the field and I got to him and salvaged one pink. Well, I tossed it in with the Mus mus and she raised the silly thing. I let it go when it was nearly full sized. It was like 3 X the size of a Mus and really a sight.
As for rats and mice.....good luck. One day I would hazard a guess the rats will have mouse for lunch.
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Sonya

I dont know about rats, but when I introduced a mouse to my sisters gerbil, he attacked it, and ate it...... I am sure rats will do the same thing.