View Full Version : little "orphan" ratty.
Well my ball python wasnt hungry and my beardies dont like rat pups so my loving (very pregnant) wife and i are hand raising a rat pup ! lol its acctually quite rewarding and not terribly difficult..i researched it and its doing good.any info would be nice.and any suggestions on making a tiny bottle ,were using a syringe with soy human baby formula.he preffered organic cow milk but its to fatning.we have it on a uth and he likes his sock to hide under and it sqeecks for food at night.(its tank is right by head).i have to make it pee by rubbing its biity with a warm moist cotton ball.any way its pretty intresting ,and good practice for us -before the new human baby.
This is about the cutest story I've ever heard!
Rats make great pets. Good luck with your little rescue- there are tons of rat fanciers on the internet, probably lots of them will be able to help with information.
Sounds like you know what you're doing for the most part!
The defecating and urinating thing is what most people don't know/think about.
As far as I know the syringe you have is the best way to feed a critter that small. Also there are milk alternatives for rats but are hard to find. Yet the milk alternatives for hamsters and gerbils are easier to find and work just as well.
Sounds like you got the right idea and I commend you for your efforts.
gtpfreak42
06-26-2007, 18:08
First of all: DO NOT NAME THE FOOD ITEM!!!!!
you will grow attached to it.
An eyedropper (you can get them at most grocery or drug stores) would probably work better than a syringe.
First of all: DO NOT NAME THE FOOD ITEM!!!!!
you will grow attached to it.
He's already attached to it! And what's wrong with that?
We herpers are always so determined to stay unemotional and detached about prey items- but the fact is, there is no creature on earth including humans that isn't a prey animal to something somewhere. I'm all for getting attached- I think it's a good thing to have to look at things from a fresh viewpoint once in a while! (Like from the viewpoint of the rat....)
Years ago, I was at a PNHS meeting when I glanced down into a box and commented, "Oh, bunnies!" A woman nearby with a little girl in tow corrected me- "NO, FOOD!" She obviously didn't want her child to sympathize with the rabbits. But really, what's wrong with empathy?
He's already attached to it! And what's wrong with that?
We herpers are always so determined to stay unemotional and detached about prey items- but the fact is, there is no creature on earth including humans that isn't a prey animal to something somewhere. I'm all for getting attached- I think it's a good thing to have to look at things from a fresh viewpoint once in a while! (Like from the viewpoint of the rat....)
Years ago, I was at a PNHS meeting when I glanced down into a box and commented, "Oh, bunnies!" A woman nearby with a little girl in tow corrected me- "NO, FOOD!" She obviously didn't want her child to sympathize with the rabbits. But really, what's wrong with empathy?
You obviously ,know exactly were im comin from cecilia ! well its doing good and definately going to be a welcome pet .i have an empty really expensive rat cage any way.lol i think im going to try the frozen thawed thing again now!!!!!
[QUOTE=cecilia;6228]
Years ago, I was at a PNHS meeting when I glanced down into a box and commented, "Oh, bunnies!" A woman nearby with a little girl in tow corrected me- "NO, FOOD!"QUOTE]
As a snake owner and a rat owner I fully understand and except the fact that there is a natural way about things. "Critters eat other Critters"... simple as that, I mean I love my snakes yet I'm a fan of pretty much any animal and don't "enjoy" seeing a rat/mouse get swallowed.
Yet I understand and except it for what it is... critters need to eat and while my boa chomps down mice like they are going out of style, I do tend to feel bad for the mice from time to time. Yet in the end my snake is more important to me than any mouse.
Though in the end how do you decide what to pet and what to feed?
Well we tried and every thing seemed to be going really good(with our rat pup) and then three hours after the little guy was last fed we went to grap him and feed him and ....he was dead ....i really was not expecting that cuz he was so strong and ate well and all.but mentally i was prepared because its so touch and go with baby anything!.well mostly i feel bad for my wife (shes pregnant and emotional )she was really becoming attached to the little guy.she cried .well now ellies painting her nails and im getting light headed !!!gotta go!!
I'm really sorry, Marc. Please tell your wife how bad I feel for you both.
In the end, what really matters is the compassion you showed for a tiny creature that most people would have tossed into the freezer without a second thought. You are obviously really good people who will be great parents to the child that's on the way. Take care. You did the right thing.
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