male and female rat...oops

Question
QUESTION: I thought I was purchasing two male rats, but one is a female, who I like the best.  The man at the pet store said that they may not necessarily breed, but is this true?  He is also acting aggressively toward my female, she is often on her back squeeking.  What should I do?  I am thinking about taking him back for another female, but I feel guilty.

ANSWER: Stacy

The pet store guy better read up on rats because have male rat and female rat together anytime from the age of just 5 weeks old and up means there is at least a 99.9% chance they will mate. Females are in heat every 5 days. Hows that for odds?  He probably has already gotten her several times over.  I myself prefer males for many reasons and one is because female rats are so prone to mammary tumors developing after 18 months of age unless they are spayed around 3 to 5 months of age. Chances are as high as 75% that, if not spayed, they will develop them. You can do a few things here right now to prevent a litter of rat pups:

1. Have her spayed ASAP by a very qualified vet that if need be, I will help you find.

2.  let her have the babies if she is indeed pregnant, neuter the male and keep him and also keep a baby or two and have a small mischief of rats and find homes for the other babies which is not always so simple and many times people will lie through their teeth and really are getting the rats to use to feed their snakes!

3.  Return the male (and I wont lie to you, they may toss him in the feeder bin like they always do and trust me, they do even if they say they dont) wait and see if she has babies, keep a girl or two if she does have them (gestation is three weeks) and find homes for the rest.

I myself would spay the girl and this will rid any pregnancy that is forming and this will end the males aggression with her since she wont go into heat any longer.  He is only being that way because her heat is driving his testosterone levels crazy.

How long have they been together and how old are they?  Where are you located? I can give you names of good exotic vets.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sandra, they have been together for at least 2 months and they were about six weeks old when we got them.  She is a Russian Blue and is quite a bit smaller than him, though she was larger when we got her.  I live in Frankfort, KY.  Louisville and Lexington are about equal distances away.  If she were pregnant, how long is the gestation?  Don't I have to get the male out of the cage or he may eat them?

ANSWER: Russian blues are beautiful! I am shocked she has not been pregnant yet. althogh she still may be, hopefully the stress from him constantly on her  may screw up her menses. This wont last long though and unless one of them is sterile, which is not really super common, she will end up pregnant. Gestation is 21 days and they dont show they are pregnant till about a week before giving birth.  As for the male, yes, should she give birth, he needs removed ASAP or he wont hesitate to kill the babies and may hurt mom if she tries to stop him.

How does she look? Check her belly...see if the hair around her nipples is still there are has it thinned out?          
Her belly will take on the shape of a pear. Let me know what you see.


Meanwhile, your about 37 mins. from this awesome exotic vet. I would go in ASAP     

Dr. Bianca Zaffarano
Pennyroyal Small and Exotic Animal Hospital    
47 Regency Circle
Lexington KY 40503
Phone:    859-277-4315
Website:   www.pennyroyalvet.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sandra, I have actually been to this vet office...I had a map turtle at one time, and one of the vets there cared for her.  Dots (the male) has calmed down a little now...she still has hair around her nipples and no pear shaped belly.  I will have her spayed and yes, she is absolutely beautiful, and so sweet and loving.  Thanks so much for the advice.  I really do like both the rats, but have just been a little angry with the male's instincts! (as silly as that sounds).

Answer
Oh good, hoping she isnt pregnant yet!!  I am glad your near this vet...it should work out just fine.  I can see that the male would get on your nerves...my boys are very and I mean VERY persistent at times that I have to go, get them from what they are getting into, move them away, they go right back to it....so I get them again...and again.....and again!!

::sighs::

boys will be boys and when they think they may have a chance with the female..look out!   LOL!

Keep me posted how it all turns out! Good luck!