Why Do Rats Eat Their Babies?
WouterThe reason rats eat their babies is not entirely clear. They do so to protect the young. They eat the placenta, which contains high amounts of prostaglandin that stimulates the involution of the uterus, and oxytocin, which eases the stress of birth and stimulates lactation. Mother rats also retrieve the babies and put them in the nest. They usually pick them up by the back or nape of the neck.
In the first few weeks, babies are born alive, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy. Rats are very delicate, and even the smallest offspring can easily be harmed. It’s important to ensure that the mother rat is feeding the babies. They will need to be fed every two hours, and the babies will need assistance maintaining their body temperature.
It’s not clear why rats eat their babies, but they are likely to be under high levels of stress. This is because of a number of factors, including the environment. For example, if the mothers don’t have a safe place to place their babies, they are likely to be subjected to stress that makes them vulnerable to disease.
Some mothers may kill their babies when they are stressed or confused. Alternatively, they may consume them if they have no food available. In addition to this, the young will be undernourished and may die due to lack of nutrients.
