How Long Are Fancy Rats Pregnant?
WouterOnce impregnated, a fancy rat’s body changes dramatically. It gains weight and develops a round abdomen. Some breeders describe the pre-labor rat as resembling a squashed orange or tennis ball. The belly will widen significantly and the skin will stretch, causing the fur on the back to appear thinner. It is important to keep a watchful eye on your rat during the last week of pregnancy, as you don’t want to press or squeeze the pregnant female – it could damage the fetus.
During the last two weeks of pregnancy, a female rat will give birth to six to thirteen pups. The rat’s uterus will expand and the pups will be able to see and feel inside of the mother. The mother will also lick the babies and eat the umbilical cord and placenta. The female rat will not be able to nurse her baby for the first few weeks.
In the third week of pregnancy, the nipples of the female will start showing. The fur surrounding the nipples will fall off about a week before birth, exposing the nipples for suction. In this way, it is easier for the babies to nurse.
Once a female rat has given birth, it will usually take about two hours to deliver the babies. However, the female may not give birth immediately if she is stressed. If you find her in the midst of this situation, you should remove her as soon as possible. If she is too stressed, the baby will die.
