Rats are pregnant for about 21 days. At about day 14 the rat’s nipples will enlarge and darken in color and the rat will start to make a nest. On days 18-21 the rat will give birth to 6-12 young. The young are born blind and hairless and will weigh about 10 grams each.
Rats are able to become pregnant again within days of giving birth so it is important to provide them with a safe place to nest and raise their young. If you have rats as pets it is also important to provide them with plenty of toys and stimulation as they can become bored and destructive if left alone for too long.
How many days does it take for a rat to gestate?
21 days
How many days after conception do rats implant?
7 days
How many days after birth do rat kittens open their eyes?
10 days
How many weeks old are rat kittens when they are weaned?
5 weeks
When are rats considered full-grown?
7-8 weeks
How long do rats typically live?
2-3 years
How many litters can a rat have in a year?
5-6
How many offspring are in a typical litter?
6-12
What is the difference between a buck and a doe?
Bucks are intact males and does are females.
How can you tell if a rat is pregnant?
A pregnant rat’s nipples will enlarge and darken.
How much should a pregnant rat eat?
A pregnant rat should eat about 25% more than a non-pregnant rat.
What are the signs of labor in rats?
The rat will become restless her temperature will drop and she will pull fur to line the nest.
How long does labor last in rats?
Labor lasts about 3-4 hours.
What are the first things you should do for a new mother rat?
First provide her with a private nest area.
Second give her extra food and water.
Third do not handle her or her kittens too much.
When can you start handling rat kittens?
Rat kittens can be handled when they are 3-4 weeks old.
