How Long Do White Rats Live?

If you’re curious about the lifespan of a white rat, the answer isn’t as short as you might think. Male rats reach sexual maturity around six to ten weeks after birth and females reach puberty around eight to 12 weeks after birth. Female rats continue to breed until they’re 18 to 24 months old. When they’re born, they lack fur and are blind, but they grow rapidly and develop their senses. It takes about three weeks for a pup to wean from its mother and reach sexual maturity, and it takes another three to five weeks for a male to reach this age.

If you think your rat has developed a tumour, don’t panic: it’s curable. These tumors are more common in females. Although they’re not fatal, you should see a vet right away if you notice a lump. Your veterinarian can determine whether your rat has a tumour and whether it should be surgically removed.

Most white rats don’t have pink eyes, but some of the fancy varieties do have them. While these are not true albinos, they still look great. In fact, they are commonly referred to as PEWs, which stands for “Pink-Eyed Whites”.