About Jess Expertise I can answer questions about most species of rodents. I will answer any questions about health, husbandry and welfare. I can also give advise about behaviour problems, how to overcome these and ways of enriching the life of your pet. I can help with those wanting advice about house rabbits.
Experience I have experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters and chincillas.
Education/Credentials I am qualified in animal management, I work as a veterinary nurse.
Question I have a couple questions. How big will my adult rat get?
we put a baby in the cage with her and all the baby rat wanted to do was crawl under her and stay there, she rolled over and they almost faught, why is this?
and last I have a pregnant mouse, the female got pregnant from the brother of the litter she was born in, could this cause problems with the babies?
thank you for your time
Leigh
Answer Rats have to be intoduced slowly or they will fight. They should also be isolated for about a month to make sure neither of them have any diseases that they will pass to one another. The adult rat could kill the baby so its a good idea to keep them apart until the baby is bigger and can defend herself. You should never just put 2 rats in together and hope for the best. The older rat sees her cage as her territory and the baby is a strange rat on her territory, thats what happens when you just stick them in together. They need to be properly introduced. As for the pregnant mouse, hopefully there shouldnt be any problems from the inbreeding, however depending on how far back the inbreeding goes, like if her mother was also inbred then sometimes problems can occur, they can sometimes be very unhealthy and have lots of health problems and the worst that can happen is physical deformity. All you can really do is wait and see. You know not to handle the babies or she may eat them dont you? good luck
