View Full Version : Frodo's a daddy!
A few weeks ago Frodo had a night of passion with one of the girls from Hakuna Matata Rattery (http://www.hkmrats.co.uk/). Today he became the proud father of 13 babies (although unfortunately one was stillborn).
Frodo (Russian blue rex, possibly carrying Siamese):
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020070923/0009.jpg
Primrose (Siamese, possibly carrying Russian blue):
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020071028/0037.jpg
When Jenna takes some pics I'll post them here. :)
Wow, tredecaplets! :)
Congratulations to Dad and commiserations to Mum!
Awe brilliant news Lew, are you going to keep them all? Will you post some pictures of the babies?
No, I won't be keeping them all (Prim's owner is homing the litter anyway, I just provided the stud buck), but I get first choice of the male babies so I'll be having two of them. :)
As for pics, the babies aren't actually here so as soon as I'm given pics I'll post them. :)
Should be an interesting mix...:)
Don't know anything about rats Lew, how long before they can be separated from their Mum?
5 to 6 weeks.
---------- Post added at 19:12 ---------- Previous post was at 19:04 ----------
Should be an interesting mix...:)
Definitely. If all of the potential genes express themselves we should get a mix of the following:
Black
Agouti ("wild" colouring)
Russian blue
Russian blue agouti
Siamese (both black and red eyed, seal point, agouti point, Russian blue point and Russian blue agouti point)
Between 25% and 50% of the litter should be rex (curly coated) like Frodo and there's a slim chance of dumbo (ears at the side of the head rather than on the top).
At what age are they mature then Lew?
... there's a slim chance of dumbo (ears at the side of the head rather than on the top).
Is that good or bad?
At what age are they mature then Lew?
Well, they're sexually mature at 5 - 5 1/2 weeks but they're no longer considered babies when they reach 13 weeks old.
---------- Post added at 19:56 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------
Is that good or bad?
It's not a bad thing. I like dumbo-eared rats myself. You can see an example of one at the bottom of this page (http://www.nfrs.org/types.php?type=other).
greencreeper
24-11-2007, 03:18
I think his fur is amazing - looks like a Tatty Teddy, or that soft fabric they make jumpers out of. And Primrose - lovely cream/coffee blending. A dad so soon though - and to so many. Lot of nappies :p: Looking forward to the pics.
It turns out that all 13 babies survived, the "stillborn" was just a little bruised but is OK now. :)
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/11.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/12.jpg
My goodness Lew, the mother rat must have been huge.:erm:
Here she is a couple of days before giving birth:
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r288/hkmrats/Tut%20Zoo%20Lick%20and%20a%20Promise/211107008.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r288/hkmrats/Tut%20Zoo%20Lick%20and%20a%20Promise/211107010.jpg
wow , nice rats you have there .
Awwww, they look so cool in a strange looking way :)
greencreeper
25-11-2007, 01:37
Do they get a bit "touchy" when pregnant? How are they with the newborn - bit protective? Do they instinctively neglect the weak and favour the strong? They look so tiny - eyes and ears not fully developed. Bless.
Maybe Cable Forum ought to have a pet. We're a family, and families usually have pets... Could name it. Check on progress. Maybe a pic on the front page.
Primrose's fur is beautiful, almost like Angora, and the babies snouts and little feet awwwwwe!
I never thought I would 'hear' so many CF people enjoying looking at rats...:)
They are all beautiful :tu:
wow, so how do they feed when young? does the mother ever reject them?
wow, so how do they feed when young? does the mother ever reject them?
I assume that as mammals they suckle from the mother.:)
superbiatch
26-11-2007, 23:25
I'm petrified of rats (couldn't even look at your pictures for too long :rolleyes:) but congratulations :D
Latest pics:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/9.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/10.jpg
Apparently all four of the boys have their father's curly coat. :)
greencreeper
27-11-2007, 13:03
They grow quickly! The top most one looks to be developing whiskers.
They actually have tiny whiskers when they're born.
Hey Lew, I wouldn't want to be the one on the bottom of the pile lol!:erm:
greencreeper
28-11-2007, 02:43
They actually have tiny whiskers when they're born.
Ah - must just be too fine to show up clear on camera. Suppose the whiskers act as "mum proximity sensors" :D
Can you answer my earlier questions? I find this stuff fascinating.
Hey Lew, I wouldn't want to be the one on the bottom of the pile lol!:erm:
Must be nice and warm...
Do they get a bit "touchy" when pregnant?
Depends on the individual rat, really. Primrose was quite the stroppy little madam when she was at mine but as soon as she got back home to familiar surroundings she was perfectly well behaved apparently. As long as the mother is comfortable with you and trusts you they're fine.
How are they with the newborn - bit protective?
If the mother is well socialised then you can handle the babies from birth. The more the babies are handled at this age the more tame they are when they're ready to leave the nest. Also, frequent handling of babies releases hormones that prevent them from being nervous rats when they're older.
Do they instinctively neglect the weak and favour the strong?
I'm afraid so. Sometimes if you get to them early enough you can give extra help to neglected babies and get the mother to care for them. Someone I know has a little girl who had been left over the other side of the cage by her mother and was almost dead when she found her. She's still going strong. :)
They look so tiny - eyes and ears not fully developed. Bless.
I know, They're like little pink hippos. :D
---------- Post added at 09:20 ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 ----------
Hey Lew, I wouldn't want to be the one on the bottom of the pile lol!:erm:
Must be nice and warm...
Definitely. The bottom of the pile is a choice location for baby rats. They'll all try to get there, nuzzling the others aside to do so. :)
greencreeper
28-11-2007, 12:53
Interesting, Lew. It is pretty amazing how different animals all exhibit the same survival behaviour - both of the species and the individual. The birds my dad breeds are similar - also different too, for example, the mother would reject her young if disturbed at all, so handling is definitely a no-no. But they do select the strong and leave the weak - my dad has had to hand rear a few. Some were fine but others lived short lives because of genetic defects. The mothers seem to have almost a sixth sense that something is wrong with one of their young, and reject it. They also know my dad - much more settled when he's tending to them, and less so on the odd occasion (such as recently when my dad was ill) that I have to feed and water them. I sing a bit of opera. Sort of stuns them :D
Pink hippos :D
Here are the latest pics of the babies. It doesn't look like we have any Siamese-based babies, although they will all be carrying Siamese so can be mated to other Siameses or albinos to produce Siamese or Himalayan).
Litter is currently looking like:
Does:
1 x Black Dumbo Rex
2 x Black Rex
2 x Black
1 x Russian Blue
3 x Russian Blue Rex
1 x Russian Blue Dumbo Rex
Bucks:
2 x Russian Blue Rex
1 x Russian Blue Dumbo Rex
Any of these could also be agouti (wild colouring) based as well.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/2.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/3.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/4.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/5.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/6.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.jpg
Well... that's just amazing, some of them have got darker already. Look at their dinky little claws awwwe! The one on the right in the second last picture, looks as though he is smoking a fag lol!
greencreeper
30-11-2007, 00:58
Awww bless. They're getting fur and their eyes look like they're close to opening? Crikey - imagine what it must be like seeing the world for the first time. So much to take in.
Should be another week before their eyes start to open, which is always fun. :D
They are all so beautiful I want them all!
greencreeper
01-12-2007, 03:22
Should be another week before their eyes start to open, which is always fun. :D
I can't wait :) You can see the changes - facial features more defined... hair... It's incredible - so fast.
I hassled Jenna for more pics, so here we go. Their fur is starting to come through nicely now. :)
The boys..
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/103.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/104.jpg
The girls..
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/105.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/106.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/107.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/108.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/109.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/110.jpg
bmxbandit
02-12-2007, 13:46
aww, they're looking cuter by the day... :)
Cor Blimey Lew, what a difference 11 days makes! Are they like dogs, in that they age 7 years to our 1?
I have no idea what the ratio is, but the average lifespan is 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years.
greencreeper
02-12-2007, 15:56
Good Lord. Never mind the fur - look at the ears. Much more distinct. And I'm sure the tails are developing. You've got to wonder what they make of it - we develop slowly, giving our brains time to adjust (well, most of the time), but a rat... Incredible.
Jenna's taken some new pics so here you go…
Group pics…
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/85.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/86.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/87.jpg
Girls…
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/88.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/89.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/90.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/91.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/92.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/93.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/94.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/95.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/96.jpg
Boys…
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/97.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/98.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/99.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/100.jpg
superbiatch
05-12-2007, 13:01
I've been trying my best to keep a look-in on how they're developing, but i've reached the stage where i can't anymore Lew :erm:
Good luck with your little brood :)
joglynne
05-12-2007, 23:12
Great pictures Lew.
I love the darker ones, they look so silky. My hurdle to keep on looking at the pictures of the babies developing will be when their eyes open. Red eyes give me a case of the shivers.
greencreeper
05-12-2007, 23:50
No such thing as red eyes - only clear ones :)
I think they're great - really coming along. You can tell they're curious about their surroundings. I'm looking forward to when they open their eyes. I wonder what you call a group of rats :erm:
Rats can have black, red or pink eyes. The eye colour also dilutes the fur colour though. All of these babies will have black eyes (actually very dark brown) like their father.
Also I found out this evening that I can have all 3 boys. :D
joglynne
06-12-2007, 00:06
No such thing as red eyes - only clear ones :)
I think they're great - really coming along. You can tell they're curious about their surroundings. I'm looking forward to when they open their eyes. I wonder what you call a group of rats :erm:
OK. Picky Picky. Clear eyes that appear red then. :D
I suppose it depends on whether you like rats or not but collectively they can be called :- a colony, a horde, a mischief, a pack, a plague, or even a swarm.
http://www.rinkworks.com/words/collective.shtml
Thanks for the reassurance Lew. Dark eyes are good. I like dark eyes...be it man or rat. :D
ADD. As you are getting three boys Lew,I would think that a mischief of rats would work in your case.:)
How about a squeak or a whisker of rats.? ;)
We have eyes! :D
Girls:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/67.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/68.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/69.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/70.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/71.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/72.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/73.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/74.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/75.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/76.jpg
Boys:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/77.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/78.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/79.jpg
joglynne
07-12-2007, 18:51
Ok. Now that they can see the world, and they are closer to coming to live with you, are you starting to think up names for your youngsters?
How about Tom, Dick and Harry as temp names.:D
They're going to be called Tron, Ram and Flynn. :)
joglynne
07-12-2007, 19:51
Great names Lew. Is there a story behind your choice?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron_%28film%29. :)
They are just so beautiful....................I want them all!
greencreeper
07-12-2007, 23:44
They've got that flattened out stance - checking out the world but with a bit of caution :D Great to see them doing so well.
They're still learning to use their legs. Give them a couple of days and they'll be running all over the cage. :D
greencreeper
08-12-2007, 00:24
Ah - of course. I think it was Steve Martin who said, "You're not drunk unless you have to hold onto the pavement" :rofl: Suppose it's the same - such rapid growth. "I've got these four furry things and I'll be damned if I can get them co-ordinated" :p:
girls
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/50.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/51.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/52.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/53.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/54.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/55.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/56.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/57.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/58.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/59.jpg
Boys
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/60.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/61.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/62.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/63.jpg
greencreeper
11-12-2007, 10:39
Looking great :D You can see the differences in fur already. Some look a bit less alert in the eyes than others - is that just slight variations in the speed of development? They're all well?
They're all fine. It's probably that some of them had been asleep when Jenna picked them out to photograph them. ;)
greencreeper
11-12-2007, 11:08
Awww - bless. Sleepy eyed :D Poor things. Fast asleep, dreaming of, um, corn on the cob. With butter. And you're torn from the arms of Morpheus to be manhandled in front of a camera.
joglynne
11-12-2007, 13:04
Lew. Can you tell which of your boys is which yet?
The second one is easy as he's a dumbo. The two top-eared boys are going to take a bit more time. I can tell the difference between Slartibartfast and Zarniwoop most of the time now, it's just a case of learning the subtle differences in their faces.
Zarniwoop (left) and Slartibartfast (right)
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020071207/0008.jpg
---------- Post added at 13:19 ---------- Previous post was at 13:15 ----------
Also, I might be lucky and the boys may end up looking quite different like their uncles pictured here:
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020071208/0045.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020071208/0042.jpg
They're both rexes but one is a "satin" rex so he has distinctly different fur.
Got some more pics from Jenna. I really can' wait until I can pick up my boys in the new year.
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/31.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/32.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/33.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/34.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/35.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/36.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/37.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/38.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/39.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/40.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/41.jpg
Ah they really look cute now...like all young mammals do.:)
I love how different the 2nd-from-bottom and 3rd-from-bottom pictures are.
greencreeper
15-12-2007, 23:05
I like pic six - wonky ears, eyes, nose and whiskers. My kind of rat - utterly unique and no less adorable for it :)
KaySquirrel
17-12-2007, 13:57
Lew, until you started posting ratty pics, I never knew that rats could have curly whiskers! I love 'em! :D
I never knew rats could be so cute until I saw the pics :)
Happy to do my bit for ratty PR. :D
KaySquirrel
18-12-2007, 11:18
You also contribute pics to LOLrats, right? I'm sure I've seen pics of your boys there as well.
Rats are cool. And smart! I'd have some in a second if I had a cat-free home.
I read somewhere that they laugh when tickled, is this true? Is it a frequency we can hear?
You also contribute pics to LOLrats, right? I'm sure I've seen pics of your boys there as well.
Correct. One of mine is currently at the top of page 1. :)
Rats are cool. And smart! I'd have some in a second if I had a cat-free home.
I have a cat as well. It's easy enough to keep the two from meeting. :)
I read somewhere that they laugh when tickled, is this true? Is it a frequency we can hear?
It's true. It's too high a frequency for humans to hear unaided though. You can hear it with a bat detector. I believe that if you search YouTube for "rat laughter" there are videos demonstrating it.
greencreeper
18-12-2007, 11:58
They laugh - how cool is that :D
KaySquirrel
18-12-2007, 14:01
Correct. One of mine is currently at the top of page 1. :)
I have a cat as well. It's easy enough to keep the two from meeting. :)
Doh! I've been looking at smelly feet rat for the past few weeks everytime I check to see if they've updated, but I never scrolled down enough to see the photo credit! :dunce:
Interesting that you've got a cat, too. I'd assumed that even the smell of the cats/rats in the same house might have been enough to cause stress to both sides (and consequently, me!) Hmm.
I want one! Hubby would be against it! And I've learned enough about rats to know that you need 2 so they don't get lonely, which does not help my case! :bigcry:
Least I can admire yours, though! :D
greencreeper
22-12-2007, 02:48
I've had a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieP3lpyOHtU
It's incredible :D
KaySquirrel
22-12-2007, 10:00
:romance:So sweet!
Finally got some more pics. I pick up my boys on Tuesday. :)
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/16.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/17.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/18.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/19.jpg
My three boys:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/20.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/3.jpg
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 00:37
So grown up now! I love the last one - the ears, and the whiskers in need of straightners. Bless him :D The fur is beautiful - is he a satin? Are those dumbo ears?
Yes he's a dumbo (although that creased ear makes him useless on the show bench so he'll be shown in the pet class). He's probably not a satin rex though, their fur tends to look a bit greasy. I won't know for sure until their adult moult at 12-13 weeks.
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 01:42
I like the creased ears - distinctive.
Moult? They do this? Is it just developmental, or a regular thing?
It's a regular thing, although the moult into the adult coat is the most noticeable, especially in rexes as they have a tendency to go bald on that one (not all rexes do though).
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 01:55
Fascinating. Do they need help with the moulting - things to rub against? Lot of licking? Any issues there? Is it seasonal or a continual shedding and re-growth? I guess they spend time grooming - is that individual or social?
Looking forward to the next lot of pics - was thinking about them and wondering when the next pics were coming :)
KaySquirrel
30-12-2007, 10:58
Curly whiskers!!!!! :woot:
Fascinating. Do they need help with the moulting - things to rub against? Lot of licking? Any issues there?
Rats are fastidious groomers so there are no problems with moulting.
Is it seasonal or a continual shedding and re-growth?
It goes in cycles. Not sure exactly how long but it usually happens just before a show so that they have an annoying moult line for the day of the show. :rolleyes:
I guess they spend time grooming - is that individual or social?
Both.
Looking forward to the next lot of pics - was thinking about them and wondering when the next pics were coming :)
Got some more… :D
---------- Post added at 21:40 ---------- Previous post was at 21:37 ----------
The girls:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/4.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/5.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/6.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/7.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/8.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/9.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/10.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/11.jpg
My boys:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/12.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/13.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/14.jpg
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/15.jpg
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 21:50
More curly whiskers :D
Might be my eyes, but that second to last one has the beginnings of looking like mum - looking a bit chocolate around the snout and ears.
Nope, just a slightly grubby nose. Russian blues don't get points like Siamese.
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 22:07
You can tell I'd make a great show judge :D
Lew, your fascination with rats makes me sick and I have to cross my legs
Lew, your fascination with rats makes me sick and I have to cross my legs
That's a pretty pointless remark. If rats aren't your thing then why not just keep out of the thread?
KaySquirrel
30-12-2007, 23:03
What's the bluish bit of their eyes? Looks like they might have second eyelids like cats?
greencreeper
30-12-2007, 23:10
Cats have three eyelids - top, bottom, and side. I think we used to have a third eyelid too - evolution removed it. I assumed it was a third eyelid - think it looks sort of cute :)
That's the "whites" of their eyes. It has a blue-grey tint on rats.
greencreeper
31-12-2007, 01:40
We're all going to be rat experts at this rate :D
It must be the light and the camera - illuminating the eye
joglynne
31-12-2007, 12:01
I have just caught up with the thread. Great pictures and interesting information yet again. Roll on Tuesday for pics of the boys exploring their new home.
I never thought I would ever be so interested in rats and can't believe that joining a forum to sort out my V+ would have opened so many other avenues of interest.:D
I realised earlier just how much Flynn looks like his uncle Cirrus, what with the wonky ear and all…
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/12/3.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020071208/0044.jpg
greencreeper
31-12-2007, 19:21
Genetics huh Lew :) I think Cirrus has a bit of a Patrick Moore look about him.
I think Cirrus has a bit of a Patrick Moore look about him.
"Hello, & welcome to the Cheese at Night." :D
greencreeper
31-12-2007, 22:53
"Hello, & welcome to the Cheese at Night." :D
:LOL:
There is a look about him - sort of distinguished.
I've got my boys!
They're still settling in, but here are a few pics:
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http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020080101/0018.jpg
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homealone
01-01-2008, 15:51
All set for Chinese New Year, then :)
Great pics, thanks :tu:
joglynne
01-01-2008, 21:45
Great pictures Lew. They really have grown.
More pics. :)
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020080103/0001.jpg
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And some pics of the boys meeting their Daddy… :)
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020080103/0011.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020080103/0012.jpg
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Is Frodo moulting? His fur's looking a bit patchy in places.
He's just getting a little bit threadbare. Most rats' fur gets a little thin as they get older but rexes don't have guard hairs so it's more pronounced.
He's just getting a little bit threadbare.
LOL, that's exactly how I was going to describe it, until I changed my mind. :)
joglynne
03-01-2008, 22:42
When you see them with dad you can see how much more they have to grow. Looking at the pictures of them on their own I had assumed that they were at lot bigger than they are.
greencreeper
04-01-2008, 01:38
I like the last pic - two with their arses in dad's face, and the third lost in the pleasure of a good scrat :D And so much for meeting dad - looked to be mobbing him! Oh and the one with the wonky ears - my favourite. Bless him.
Parenthood huh :rolleyes:
More pics…
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greencreeper
05-01-2008, 01:12
Interesting - that one that looks like its hiding, with its legs up. Do they lick each front foot and sort of do a rubbing motion from ear to snout?
greencreeper
05-01-2008, 18:22
Ah. I wonder if it's a rodent thing - the family hamster used to sit for ages on its bum, nuts in full view, alternating between "lick foot, rub ear-to-snout" and "rummage in tummy fur as if trying to find something". Very cute.
Here's one that hamsters can't do…
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Tail.mov
:D
greencreeper
05-01-2008, 18:32
Well they do only have a stump - well ours did, anyway :D
The boys' fur is starting to go curly now. Looks like they're going to have the same "rippled" fur that Frodo has.
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greencreeper
07-01-2008, 00:00
I take it you spend many an evening festooned with rats :)
They have really grown! Still as beautiful as ever :)
More pics. I can't believe how fast these boys are growing (well, considering their father I probably can :D).
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greencreeper
10-01-2008, 01:00
Their rear feet seem much larger and more jointed than the front feet - is that for digging purposes?
I think it's more for gripping and standing purposes, plus they're quite good for jumping. Their front paws are almost like hands without thumbs.
greencreeper
10-01-2008, 10:46
Yeah, now I think about it, when they run they seem to propel themselves forward using the rear legs more than the front. Big feet though :D
Makes it easier for them to do this:
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020070623/0009.jpg
Try doing that with piddly little hamster feet! :D
greencreeper
11-01-2008, 00:16
:D
Hammy (our hamster) used to monkey bar underneath the shelf where his house was, and then try to pull himself up onto the shelf. I used to put my hand in and gently bring a finger up to his flailing feet :D Give him a bit of support. They have five toes on the rear feet, but only four on the front - for the purposes of digging (they live in burrows). That was why I was thinking it might be the same with a rat.
Apologies, Lew, but I couldn't help but think of this every time I see your avatar. :)
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/attachment.php?attachmentid=15702&stc=1&d=1200891816
:rofl:
"Glass, bottle. Bottle, glass. Ah-ha-ha!"
---------- Post added at 11:31 ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 ----------
More pics. The boys are really growing quickly now.
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greencreeper
21-01-2008, 23:01
Does that one have hold of an ear! The bully! :D Is that normal behaviour - bit of rough n tumble?
When you have them out, are they like children - house trashed in no time if you turn your back? Also, this rex fur - would you get different levels of rex depending on the breeding? I noticed one rat at the show had sort of uneven fur, but another had lovely brindle fur, with a uniform pattern to it. Sort of like a paint roller :erm: I can't see it (yet) in your rats.
Does that one have hold of an ear! The bully! :D Is that normal behaviour - bit of rough n tumble?
An ear and the scruff of the neck. Yes, it's normal, especially if a rat thinks that another rat is getting too much attention from their human. :D
When you have them out, are they like children - house trashed in no time if you turn your back?
There's a good reason for the collective noun for a group of rats being a "mischief". ;)
Also, this rex fur - would you get different levels of rex depending on the breeding? I noticed one rat at the show had sort of uneven fur, but another had lovely brindle fur, with a uniform pattern to it. Sort of like a paint roller :erm: I can't see it (yet) in your rats.
Absolutely. Proper rexes have tight curly fur (the NFRS recently imported some rats from Finland that have the most amazingly curly fur), but there are several different genes that control coat type and they all have different characteristics. Frodo's line appears to be what's known in the US as "velveteen" which tends towards plush, soft fur that lies in ripples rather than tight curls.
greencreeper
23-01-2008, 01:24
I wonder what I saw then :erm: Looking at the rat society's website, one of them definitely had rex in it, but the other (the roller one) looked a bit like a Russian Blue Agouti - not the colour, but the fur. I wonder if the bridle colour gave the appear of something about the fur. Shame I couldn't pick it up - have a feel. Lovely coat though.
I swear that I can hear Johnny Morris, from 'Animal' something, (a BBC kids' TV show from a VERY long time ago) doing a voice-over for some of these pics......
"... and Ratty decided to have a look for himself..." :D
joglynne
23-01-2008, 18:38
I know what you mean SCUZZ. :) Lew's boys really lend themselves to a Johnny Morrris voice over.
Off Lew's topic but I have fond memories, as a young child, of watching in fascination as various Zoo animals talked to Johnny. I really believed he was a Zoo Keeper and that the animals were talking to him. :D
Bit of a late reply..........
but you mean he wasn't a zoo-keeper? But he wore the hat and uniform......................? Well I was taken in too :D
Looking forward to more pics of Lew's little 'uns. :)
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How cute...especially the one standing upright like a look out.:D
greencreeper
03-03-2008, 01:46
I like the tail - it's nearly at 90 degrees! :D
Graham M
03-03-2008, 08:52
http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Ratties%2020080120/0016.jpg
"take it like a man" ? :p:
Amazing how quickly they have developed!
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