How Long Do Baby Rats Stay With Their Mother in the Wild?
WouterIn the wild, baby rats stay with their mother for approximately four to five weeks after birth. This is an important time for the rat’s survival, as it feeds on milk produced by the mother. Besides milk, baby rats also need proper nutrition, socialization, proper housing, hygiene, and exercise to grow and develop properly. The best way to care for young rats is to educate yourself on their needs so that you can help them develop into healthy animals.
The first week after birth is a time when the baby rats do not require frequent handling. However, after a week, the baby rats require less handling. They should be handled with care if you have an encounter with them that results in harm to their health. The mothers may also be aggressive towards humans, so be very careful when approaching them.
A female rat may have up to six or 10 babies in a litter. These young rats have opened eyes and ears and develop their own fur and start exploring their limits around the sixth week mark. After this time, male rats should be separated from their mothers, although they should still be kept in sight.
Newborn rats need supplemental heat for the first few weeks. They may not be able to keep themselves warm, and you should keep a thermometer handy until they are floppy and fluffy. A heating pad or light bulb will help to maintain a temperature that is safe for them. If they are too cold, it may lead to hypothermia, which is potentially fatal.
