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I bought what I was assured were two male ratties a few weeks ago, one much older than the other. They introduced well, got on quickly, with the older being the dominant.
Tonight I observed the older one mating with the younger. I thought it was funny, looked up the behavior to make sure all was normal, and was satisfied that boys do that.
Then I saw the younger one crawling up the side of the cage, as is "his" wont.
"he" clearly had not just been humped, "he'd" been penetrated. Which made me think back--
He had not really fought off the other rat's advances. He'd arched his back like a female...
Uh oh.
I had just assumed that his testicles hadn't dropped yet. He scent marked all the time--typically more of a male behavior. The pet store "only sold males." I just assumed that he was too young and hat not hit puberty--but uh. Maybe that's not the case. I looked at some pictures online, and I think I have a young girl.
I guess my first question is--what should I do? I really like this rat. She (I'm pretty sure) is a sweetheart! Can I demand that the pet store take the male back? I like him too, and have spent tons of time socializing him, but I can't have babies!
Secondly--I'm pretty sure at this point that babies are coming. When I thought that they were both boys for half an hour of humping, I was giggling at the "silly frustrated boy." There was MUCH humping. I can see that there was definitely penetration, as there was a bit of blood on the other rat's genitals, and they looked sore. What can I do with the babies? I hate to think they'll be feeder rats.
Thirdly--GRRRRRRRR!
Fourthly--How young is too young for rat moms? Will my rat be okay? I think she's about ten weeks (?) old? She seems so light and tiny!
Any advice? I have the boy stuffed in a little dark box till I can take him in tomorrow morning. Don't want there to be more humping. Rapid advice needed!
Thanks!
Tonight I observed the older one mating with the younger. I thought it was funny, looked up the behavior to make sure all was normal, and was satisfied that boys do that.
Then I saw the younger one crawling up the side of the cage, as is "his" wont.
"he" clearly had not just been humped, "he'd" been penetrated. Which made me think back--
He had not really fought off the other rat's advances. He'd arched his back like a female...
Uh oh.
I had just assumed that his testicles hadn't dropped yet. He scent marked all the time--typically more of a male behavior. The pet store "only sold males." I just assumed that he was too young and hat not hit puberty--but uh. Maybe that's not the case. I looked at some pictures online, and I think I have a young girl.
I guess my first question is--what should I do? I really like this rat. She (I'm pretty sure) is a sweetheart! Can I demand that the pet store take the male back? I like him too, and have spent tons of time socializing him, but I can't have babies!
Secondly--I'm pretty sure at this point that babies are coming. When I thought that they were both boys for half an hour of humping, I was giggling at the "silly frustrated boy." There was MUCH humping. I can see that there was definitely penetration, as there was a bit of blood on the other rat's genitals, and they looked sore. What can I do with the babies? I hate to think they'll be feeder rats.
Thirdly--GRRRRRRRR!
Fourthly--How young is too young for rat moms? Will my rat be okay? I think she's about ten weeks (?) old? She seems so light and tiny!
Any advice? I have the boy stuffed in a little dark box till I can take him in tomorrow morning. Don't want there to be more humping. Rapid advice needed!
Thanks!