How Long Are Rats Pregnant?
WouterThe gestation period of rats is usually between 21 and 23 days, but it can be as long as 28 days. The postpartum period lasts for another 28 days. During the first two weeks of pregnancy, a pregnant rat will begin to enlarge her belly and breasts. At this point, her fetus is still very fragile, so you should not try to touch or palpate her abdomen.
Rats are very prolific breeders and their gestation period is short, usually around 21 to 24 days. A female rat will produce as many as five litters in a year. It is important to isolate a pregnant rat from her communal cage, as she will spend much of her time building a nest.
Rats typically become pregnant every four to five days while in heat. Since the female has a frequent estrous cycle, a pregnancy is easy to detect. During this time, a pregnant rat will build a nest with tissue paper. If a female rat is pregnant, she will begin stepping on the cub to aid in digestion. The female rat can produce between five and twelve pups depending on the species.
Female rats are excellent mothers, but they can be extremely stressed during pregnancy, which can cause them to kill their babies. This can be due to a poor diet. You should try to separate the sexes during pregnancy, and be sure to provide them with plenty of fresh food and water. If you find that the female rat is extremely stressed or overworked, you can remove the babies and return them to her once the mother has settled down.
