What kind of bedding Is Apt for African soft fur rats? The female can give birth to as few as 4 pinks, or as many as 20+ her first time. Weve put a lot of work into each piece, and want to remind everyone that if you like what we do here, please make a link back to this page, rather than infringing on copyrights. In my downtime, I value spending time with friends and family. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'oxfordpets_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-leader-1-0'); The African soft fur rats go well at temperatures between 68 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The pied is an animal with a white head, and a white rear end. I have been working at a place where they breed ASFs to feed to the owls. Chemical carcinogenesis by the two-stage protocol in the skin of Mastomys natalensis (Muridae) using topical initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and topical promotion with 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate They certainly have an odor. Originally from Africa. Typically, their undersides are lighter in color than their backs. Is an African soft fur rat a rat or a mouse? If you want to create a new group of rats, you can take your adult male, and two or three of his daughters to start a new colony, while leaving a young male offspring in the original colony to take over his spot. Q: Can I add another male to my colony? Only show this user . This rodent type lives in packs so they will become depressed if they live alone. thank you for ur time, and i hope someone has some advice. Adult African soft fur rats grow to a size of 6 inches, with tails of about 4.5 inches in length. The Truth about Breeding ASF Rats (African Soft Furs) - YouTube 0:00 12:53 The Truth about Breeding ASF Rats (African Soft Furs) Zen Orc 3.53K subscribers Subscribe 5.2K views 3 years ago I. Inbreeding can be done too, and may be easier in some cases. If you want to start breeding African Soft Furred rats, make sure these animals are not illegal to own in your state. I purchased a group of one male pied, and two females, one female being an Amber, and the other a Cinnamon. Six different genetic groups can be distinguished in different regions: one in western Africa, one in central Africa, one in southern Africa and three in eastern Africa.[2]. ASFs are very protective of their young and their relaxed behavior with you will change as soon as those pups are born. They actually care for rodents from the family Muridaue and genus Mastomys. I havent had any of these rats die from abuse in the colony, and I actually leave them with the mothers until they reach a bigger size; due to their condition they grow much slower than their non-disabled siblings. Adult Weight: Males: 100- 130g; Females: 90-115g This reinforces that biting behavior, because it teaches them that they can bite and are left alone. If rats are fighting or scuffling, you will often see the rats involved jump onto the wheel and run. We wouldnt steal your works, please dont take ours. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. http://www.springerlink.com/content/pw8826314054212w/, Julia Nafz, Anja Khler, Myriam Ohnesorge, Ingo Nindl, Eggert Stockfleth and Frank Rsl I cant reiterate this enough. Induction of epidermal tumor growth in the skin of Mastomys natalensis by transfer of virus-containing tumor tissue from a squamous cell carcinoma http://inas-dragons-lair.de/images/stories/vzm/VZM_Weisse.jpg. Moreover, it is easier to clean wire cages than aquariums as you only need soap and water to clean the base and the wire of the cage. Persistence of Mastomys natalensis papillomavirus in multiple organs identifies novel targets for infection African soft fur rats make good pets. (Link to DIY for tubs). A: Their fur changes and isn't as soft or "fresh", Q: What is a good ratio to start breeding? They have had hides, easy to reach water and food. Inbreeding is when the siblings are bred to each other. (aka african soft furred rat) states they should be fed a hamster/gerbil seed mix. The panda pattern in the hets and ruby eyes seems to be cleaner than nons. They pile on, 4 or 5 at a time, some hanging on for dear life on the outside as others run on the inside of the wheel. The pros include unobstructed viewing for your fur ball. A: When she is producing single digit litters, Q: How can you tell if an ASF is old? I believe its their way of dealing with the stress. The African soft fur rats eat cucumber, asparagus, zucchini, and broccoli. The African soft fur rats live for up to 3 years. A: 70 - 72 degrees has worked best for us, Q: Why did my first litter get eaten? The diversity of gastric carcinoma The litter consisted of the lighter Cinnamons and Rubys (difficult to tell apart when very young), a couple of Ambers, and one Agouti. Therefore, there is no need to supply heat additionally. But even though they are food for other animals and reptiles, African soft fur rats make good pets. These seed mixes contain alfalfa pellets. I completely understand her reaction because at the end of the day she was caring for 30 plus babies which I one day come along and take away from her. I have confirmed in a few different litters that the Ruby Eyed is a different gene than the Cinnamon. African Soft-fur Care What are ASF? ASF are illegal in several states including GA, CA and more so you may or may not be able to find them. Touch those rascals all over and get them used to your hand. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jean.wright93/mm/mm.htm, Thames Valley Rodents I decided to stop offering these extras when all the rats were doing was sleep on the wheels, and pee on the wood rather than use them for their intended purpose. It is easiest to form a new breeding group when the animals are young, or when the females havent yet had litters. However, the population of common rats is estimated to be around billions. Save Share. Imiquimod treatment of papilloma virus and DMBA /TPA-induced cutaneous skin cancer in Mastomys coucha: an unique animal model system useful for preclinical studies The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. African soft furreds are used as minimally as a snake food mainly for the picky eaters. First Litter: Approx 3.5 months of age. Predators to rodents include reptiles like a ball python or any other snake which feeds on rats. http://asfrats.info (No longer available), Russell Tofts Article on ASFs (A good read, although may be outdated.) However, they can still socialise together. It will make it easier down the road. These rodents are not ideally kept as pets, however, they are raised by reptile hobbyists since they are good quality meat for reptile pets. When you first start working with them, you may notice they hold completely still and close their eyes. In contrast, wild rats generally live for shorter periods of one to two years because of predators in their outdoor environments. They have a small mouth with sturdy teeth which they use to bite through their food and also use in an attack as a form of defense. A: Stress. Animals can have a completely white head with no markings, or have quite a few dark spots on the face. The tumors can be seen in the vaginal region as a clustered mass, along the tail as bumps, on the back and hind quarters as warty black growths, or on the face of the animal. They are not a deep and rich brown color like the Cinnamons, and that is often the only way to tell the difference when the eyes are very dark. They love to be around other rats and mice. They are very active animals and will need a place to make into their burrow. They dont outgrow Ball Pythons. The first time I got bit it didnt draw any blood, but it did hurt like hell and was a little rough for such a small sized animal. ASF rats are high energy compared to regular rats. Scoops are your best friend for the pinks, scoop those babies and put them in the bedding where the females usually place their nest. While there is debate that ASFs are the cure-all for non-feeding ball pythons (out of my 40+ snakes, very few will regularly take ASFs at every meal), they are a really good size for a ball python and other animals that need whole prey animals. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. However, the wild population of African soft fur rats has declined in recent years. Handling ASFs daily will sustain a good relationship between you and your rats. Each female has a litter every 4-5 weeks, and if you have 2 or 3 females, thats the very real possibility of having 32-54 rats born every 4-5 weeks, that need to be grown up for a little over a month just to reach a common feeding size. Yes! Gorgeous RUSSIAN marmot mink fur coat, EXCELLENT. African soft-furred rat breeders are few in number. Using the box cutter, cut out the inside. The females will kill him upon reintroduction. In the wild, they coexist with other species. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Gestation: 21-23 days Predators of African soft fur rats include reptiles like python. They can also be raised as pets, although this is rare. Of course you can! Just as a note of warning, you should not give these pets carbonated, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages or foods. Average Life Span: Average is 2 - 3 years, Gestation Period: 21 - 26 days (average 23), Litter Size: 10 - 50+ (easy to be overrun). Thanks for understanding! They can be easily gassed with CO2, and frozen for later use. It has come time to socialize them and so far it is not going well. This decline may be due to competition with other rodents, like the black rat. http://asfrats.info/viewforum.php?f=8& (No longer available), Or you can visit the ASFs breeders and information exchange forum Its all very easy to do. These rats will reach an average weight of approximately 2.1 ounces, and their fur varies between yellow, brown, and grey. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. I get feedback from the new owners and they are all very happy with their new pets. They get as nasty and even try to nurse. But in my hunt a breeder found me two young female soft furs that were being sold as either or food or pets. Their small adult size compared to the Norway rat makes them ideal to keep, because they are often the perfect feeding size for months and will not outgrow the feeding limits for most carnivores like a Norway rat will. Additionally, you can use fleece material (shredded or cut). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2366624/, Metal Monkey Exotics. African soft-furred rats are fairly crepuscular and generally active at random intervals throughout the day and night. The fact that the Norway Rat (Also known as the brown rat) is in the genus of Rattus, and the African Soft Fur Rat is in the genus of Mastomys, makes them different enough in the eyes of the Alberta Provincial Government to make one legal, and one illegal. Moreover, you can keep them in homemade cages, aquariums, and wired cages. That was about a pint of food in the rack for him. ASF and mice will do everything together - eating, sleeping, grooming, and playing - just like they would with a member of their own species.. Many would say no, but they do smell, and anyone who says differently either does not have a keen sense of smell, or does not have more than one or two groups. here We have a comprehensive guide on African Soft Fur Rat: Care, Info and Factsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The cage you chose for your African soft fur rat is highly important for their well-beingness. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. First Litter: Approx 3.5 months of age. I dont want them to get Him sick by any means. No abstract available. of age. Unusual Laboratory Rodent Species: Research Uses, Care, and Associated Biohazards I might stop by the shelter today and check them out ;D, I went to the shelter today and they were aware that they were ASF and not mice. South Dakota will let you keep a bear on your property, but domestic pigs are prohibited. African Soft-fur Care African Soft-fur Care African Soft-fur Care. The offspring would all have the head spot, because each would be heterozygous for white spotting because pied is homozygous. Meaning the pattern in the hets and ruby is more concentrated in the mid section and the normal pandas will have some spotting in the rear end. Their common African name (natal multimammate mouse) literally means many-breasted mouse, so-named because the females possess extra teats, (8-14 pairs rather than the usual 5 or 6 pairs that other rodents have). African soft fur rats have little or no smell. 1976 Mar;23(2):143-50. I do not support other methods, Iunderstand some commonly practiced methods may be approved by the AVMA, but only for qualified and supervised professionals in a controlled environment. In return I gave them a bunch of things to chew and destroy including very thick cardboard tubes, seeds, wood blocks, dog biscuits, and also many types of paper products to shred, since we all know how they freak when we take away something they depend on for stress release. Praomys Natalensis, Praomys (Mastomys) Natalensis, Mastomys Natalensis, Natal Rats, African Soft Furred rat, African Soft-Furred Rat, Multimammate Mice, ASFs, ASF rats. Gently grab the adults and place them in the new tub. http://dels.nas.edu/ilar_n/ilarjourn1Unusual.shtml, KlausWayss, DenisReyes-Mayes and ManfredVolm African soft-furred rats live together in groups and they are seldom seen alone. I got two female ASFs because two separate breeders suggested them for my male mouse who had been acting very depressed. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. Using pest control like poison and traps, as well as teaching people about how to identify and avoid rats has led to Alberta being basically rat free. You just have to shower it with soap and water. In particular the main female Eeyore is a total cow. Head Spot (White spotting, heterozygous form). Omnivorous - eats a complete rodent food supplemented by meal worms, fruit, vegetables. Loose bedding is not recommended because they use it to push around the cage, and too loose of bedding will make it harder for them to get around. ASFs do well fed a quality lab block. And my rat babies grow even faster! Other things you can purchase include hammocks from pet stores, cardboard boxes, and paper towel tubes. This is most common in southern and western states of the US. Having multiple females minimizes the likelihood of him aggravating a lone female with his attentions. They are known to be very bouncy at times, and can even jump out of snake tubs if you do not close them in time. German. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Wire cages are most preferred. Aside from just being bred as food for reptiles, these rats have also been used in lab experiments, including stomach cancers, spontaneous tumors, and diseases like Lassa fever. Sexual Maturity: 54-63 days. 4. I had at least one Amber colored female not develope any tumors until close to her second year. As a dietary alternative, some pet owners choose to feed their rats with dog kibble spattered with millet spray. However, keeping them safe and satisfied is a bit tricky. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Want to make this as hassle free as possible? They almost always need to be doing something. Igrab them by the base of the tail, unless the female is VERYlarge and ready to give birth, then she gets a ride in a scoop (. African Soft Fur Rats: Do They Make Good Pets. In Germany, I believe they refer to Pieds as Check[ers]. (Updated 2/17/09). ManfredReinacher, HermannMller, WolfgangThiel and RolandL.Rudolph The hets are cinnamon with white ears in my case So you might be wondering why Alberta would stress so much about being rat free, then be ok with African Soft Fur Rats. A 30 x 12 x 12 long aquarium is enough for 2 rats. Are African Soft Fur Rats Legal In Alberta? I no longer offer all of these extras to my ASF rats. Average Lifespan: 2-3 years in captivity These rats will reach an average weight of approximately 2.1 ounces, and their fur varies between yellow, brown, and grey. I've never seen mice of this color so I thought maybe they could possibly be African Soft Furs. He walks away, returning at various point to try and hump them again. Alberta is currently the largest rat free land mass on earth because the Provincial government made laws, policies, and educational programs in the 1950s to essentially stop rats at the border. What temperature is suitable for African soft fur rats? There are ASFs that are more curious and easily worked with, but in the US, that can be few and far between. As you can see, they are both very similar and related, right down to the fact they are both rodents. The most common homemade cages are storage bins or sterile cages. Moreover, it can trigger health issues like headaches. The rubys will still be pale but at this point get darker and darker until you can not tell the difference except fot the red eyes. It was amusing to see, but also a little nerve wracking. The best part about owning and breeding ASFs is they produce very little smell! http://asfrats.info (no longer available), Russell Tofts Article on ASFs (A good read, although may be outdated.) Take 3 young rats from the same litter and start a new group with them. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jTRY=1&SRETRY=0, K. C. Snell, H. L. Stewart These little guys are also extreme chewers! Lets just make that clear right here and now. http://vir.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/88/10/2670, Iris Helfrich, Min Chen, Rainer Schmidt, Gerhard Frstenberger, Annette Kopp-Schneider, David Trick, Hermann-Josef Grne, Harald zur Hausen, and Frank Rsl http://mouse-agility.com/asfrats.htm, If you would like to find ASFs near your area, this webpage has a small current listing of ASF breeders. Moreover, they can also consume squash and pumpkin. This is not an option, however, for pet owners who have no desire to breed. Alberta is well known as a rat free place, but the African Soft Fur Rat is something different. 7 Scientific Steps How Do Roosters Fertilize Eggs, How Often Do Rats Have Babies?+Rat Breeding Guide, Pied markings, cinnamon, agouti brown, etc, Buy the storage tub in your budget from a retail store. Thank you for the information! Usually, these rats should have 12x12x12 space in the cage. I am always curious about the genetics with rats, and I bred my original male to two of his daughters. http://www.sapphiretigress.com/Softfurs.htm (No longer available), If you are looking for ASF breeders in your state, follow this link. Typically, their undersides are lighter in color than their backs. If you do want to keep these animals as companion pets, remember that it will be difficult, but not impossible. Line breeding can be achieved in many ways. African soft fur rats are classified as a Least Concern species by the IUCN (International Union For Conservation Of Nature). http://vir.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/41/2/315, K.Wayss, E.Amtmann, G.Frstenberger, G.Sauer and M.Volm Q: Do I need to include a hide in their enclosure? They need access to water and food all the time in captivity. 5. het and normal. I've a new pet but want to make sure I get them a companion that's the same sex so I don't have an unexpected litter. This makes sense, as we could consider Alberta to be Rattus free, not Mastomys free. Line breeding and inbreeding are two ways to expand the number of animals you work with. ive heard it might be very difficult to introduce male asf rats that arent related. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. I have also offered a small portion of seeds and Timothy hay once a week, I have given treats like hard dog biscuits, and offered wood blocks. They need a company to be happy. By sharing this story, I wish to give others hope and courage in overcoming their life challenges. Their small adult size compared to the Norway rat makes them ideal to keep, because they are often the perfect feeding size for months and will not outgrow the feeding limits for most carnivores like a Norway rat will. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land. Thanks in advance. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j84058/abstract Sexual Maturity: 54-63 days Gestation: 21-23 days First Litter: Approx 3.5 months of age. Lives for up to three years. They dont smell as bad as Mice or Domestic Rats. So far, it would seem that the tumors develop after 9 -12months of age, although not, The tumor development can be very fast and spontaneous. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. The edging of the color is hardly ever straight, often with intermittent spots of white and color giving a very checkered, piebald pattern. The eyes do appear to be a dark brown color, almost black. I raise the african rats and sell them as pets, I have had no problems with them being nasty or aggresive or nervous. Imiquimod treatment of papilloma virus and DMBA /TPA-induced cutaneous skin cancer in Mastomys coucha: an unique animal model system useful for preclinical studies If you keep them alone, they may become depressed. Their first litter from both females was 16 and 15 each, both born within a day of each other. However, as far as African Soft Fur Rats go, are they legal in Alberta? How long do African soft fur rats take to grow? Also, exercising keeps them active. I am also the proud author of my memoir, My Sub-Lyme Life. I don't want any issues. I also give mine toilet/paper towel rolls so that can shred it, play with it, or chew on it. I first thought she was a young Cinnamon, but she looks more and more like a Ruby Eyed? However, the wire cage must be large with multiple levels for the pack or colony to move around. But, they will typically avoid urban areas as they cannot compete with larger, more aggressive rodents like the black rat. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You can read all about the history of rat control in Alberta here. It will most likely be necessary to have seperate holding areas for the weaners. Therefore, you can opt for this size with different housings like wire cages, glass aquariums, and homemade cages. Theyve done exceptionally well without the fluff. Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, . The African soft-furred rat is commonly raised by reptile hobbyists since these rats are food for their pet snakes. Ifeel that the margin of error is too large to promote with good conscience regardless of the condoning by the AVMA. Hello all I have a Male Fancy Mouse and I was considering getting a pair of soft fur ladies for Him but He seems pretty happy and I dont want to Risk Him getting hurt. A glass aquarium or tank is a potential house for African soft fur rats. Can you clean an ASF cage when there are babies? Copyright 2023 Know Alberta | Powered by. ASFs are incredibly protective of their young, keep this in mind when working with them, they are highly motivated to protect their young. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); This is, in fact, good for the African soft fur rats. You can make it as you want. Adult Weight: Males: 100- 130g; Females: 90-115g Belly is a lighter color, but not white. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'oxfordpets_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Welcome To The Oxford Family! SALE! Make sure that the tank is well-ventilated. A regularsize rat cage works great as well for a group of these, but just make sure the young rats can't fit through the bars. I'm a freelance writer with more than eight years of content creation experience. Read Full Affiliate Disclaimer here. The best way I can describe them is the Pink Eyed Dilute on an agouti striped hair. I feed my ASF colonies Doggy Bag Dog Food from Tractor Supply. Originally Posted by spitzu. However, this should not deceive you since they are known to bite if not tamed. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A forum community dedicated to Rat owners and enthusiasts. I had become quiet attached to them, they however hate me. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. This is not healthy for ALL small pets! There are a few important rules to be aware of. ASFs havea bad reputation for being bitters. I continued to handle them about once a day. African soft furred rats are an easy species to breed, with many benefits for breeders.