How far along does she appear to be?

[18snickers]

I've tried to prepare the best I could for the mama and her babies, but seeing as I've never seen a pregnant rat before this girl I don't know what to assume by her big belly. Is this 2 weeks along or days away from birth??

[lilspaz68]

That last one shows a nice big belly. Do you have a digital scale you could weigh her on?

[Isamurat]

Judging from the size and roundness i would say she's closer to days away, probably day 20-21 ish, i would move her into a birthing cage with a friend or two for company to be on the safe side. She looks like she's going to have a reasonably sized litter too

[18snickers]

Yes I've put her in her own cage. what has me confused though is that she's SO active still. I take her out to play and she runs around the best she can with her belly and plays with the father still. She's also still friendly with me just as usual. I thought when they were close to having them they calm down as if they're tired and become moody I do have a scale, but I didn't weigh her since I didn't know her original weight before becoming pregnant. I'll go weigh her now though!

[18snickers]

She's somewhere in the 250 range. I wasn't able to get her to sit still for the life of me! lol but does that help??

[18snickers]

Also, not to post 10 times in a row, but those photos are from 2 nights ago. I thought she was big then, but i'm pretty sure she's gotten bigger!! Yet she's so active I don't know what to expect. I hope it's not a huge litter!!

[Isamurat]

Her activity levels could well stay high right up to her due day. I've seen breeder does still hyper and desperate to be out right up to day 23 (the average day for rats to birth in the line I work with). Typically they don't start nesting until a few hours before birth too. Every rat is different and you get some that get grouchy and withdraw a few days before.

A good late sign to spot is her nipples appearing larger when the fur is lost around them, then spots of blood in her bedding. When that happens leave her be for a few hours somewhere quiet with the door slightly open so you can hear when the eeping begins.

[SillydogTheGreat]

Yeah I had a rat that got really huge up until she gave birth, but then I had another that we didn't even know she was pregnant until suddenly she was surrounded by babies because she never showed any signs.

[18snickers]

It's been 3 days since the photo was taken sooo hopefully this means they'll be here soon!! I can't imagine her belly getting any bigger!

[Korra]

Has she had them yet?