How Long Are Rats Pregnant?

Rats are usually able to give birth naturally, but you may wonder how long they can be pregnant. Rats have a two-pronged uterus, which makes it easier for them to have a larger litter. During the pregnancy, the rat’s abdomen may expand sideways. If this is the case, the baby will lay along the horns of the uterus. As long as you’re not disturbing the baby or the mother during delivery, you shouldn’t have any issues.

The gestation period in rats is about 21 to 23 days, which means that they give birth relatively quickly. This short gestation period is important because rats are known to reproduce quickly. They can produce a litter within 21 to 23 days under normal circumstances, but it’s very unlikely to happen if predators, disease, or limited food sources are present. During this time, the female will gain weight, especially around the abdomen, and may lose a small amount of hair in this region.

The female rat reaches sexual maturity in 8 to 12 weeks. However, breeding a female older than six to eight months can be dangerous. Older females may not be able to give birth normally and a Cesarean section may be needed.