Do Rats Raise Their Young?
WouterThe question, “Do rats raise their young?” may be a new one for you, but if you are familiar with the animal you are probably wondering how and when they breed. House rats can breed throughout the year, but during certain seasons their reproduction rates are low. For example, when the climate is cold, the rats will find it difficult to find food outdoors. This means they will be less likely to breed during the winter months. However, as the climate warms up in the spring, new vegetation and food become plentiful.
Female rats tend to raise their litters alone, although communal nesting may be advantageous. Female rats who raise a litter alone raise almost all of the young to weaning age. It is unclear why communal nesting is advantageous for litter survival in captivity, but in the wild, communal nests may protect young from predators.
When a mother raises her young, it is critical that she feeds the young properly. Rats need a nutritious diet. Unlike many other animals, the nutritional requirements of rats are close to those of human babies. In fact, rat milk and human infant formula have similar fat and protein percentages. Both types of formula contain iron, which is essential for a healthy baby.
Feeding a newborn rat can be difficult. They often try to suck formula up their nose, so it’s important to be gentle. If you notice a white whisp in a baby rat’s nostril, you should immediately stop feeding them.
