Breeding Rodent Prey

Rodents provide a valuable food source to many tarantulas in captivity and within the wild. Nutritional values can be maintained from a healthy food source. The values are affected by the health of the prey. To control the growth and health of your rodents is the most optimal way to provide a high quality food source.

A personal rodent colony provides many advantages that an outside source does not. Proper food proportions can be meet for a growing tarantula's needs. Size control, diet and over all health can be controlled by you.

I have been breeding various rodents since 1995. Please keep in mind if you do attempt to breed for the purpose of feeding your taking on more animals to care for with their own requirements. I am not providing full maintenance for care of rodents in this article just proven methods to develop healthy off springs.

Enclosure

You must obtain a suitable living quarters. I advise using an enclosure made of glass. Glass will lower your chance for escape and it is easy to clean. All species of rodents require different amounts of space. Space will also have to be increased depending upon the amount of animals.

Temperature

A temperature of 64-79°F (18-26°C) should be maintained at all times to ensure a comfortable living environment. Increase the temperature by a few degrees after a litter is born for hairless new born until they reach maturity.

Humidity

Humidity is the measurement of moisture within the air. Prolonged exposure to low humidity levels may cause a disease called ringtail and other various health problems such as respiratory infections and rapid food spoilage. The acceptable humidity range for rodents is 30-70%.

Lighting

Circadian rhythm is the adjustment to a specific light and dark cycle. Rodents should be on a 12-hour light cycle. Interruptions to their cycle may effect breeding and cause stress. An affordable timer can be used to maintain light cycles.

Noise

Animals respond to excessive noise in a variety of ways. Rodents are known to halt breeding due to stress from loud noises. Rodent enclosures should be kept in a calm stress free environment.

General Specie Information

Name: Mouse (Mus musculus)

# of females per male: 1-4

separate at birth: Not needed

litter size per: 6-12

weight: 25 to 40 grams (adult)/ 1 gram (newborn)

pregnancy length: 19 to 21 days

life span: 1 to 3 years

Name: Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

# of females per male: 1-3

separate at birth: Not needed

litter size per: 7-11

weight: 300 to 500 grams (adult)/ 5 grams (newborn)

pregnancy length: 20 to 22 days

life span: 2.5 to 3.5 years

Name: Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

# of females per male: 1 to 3

separate at birth: Yes both sexes

litter size per: 5 to 10

weight: 80 to 120 grams (adult)/ 8 to 12 grams (newborn)

pregnancy length: 15 to 16 days

life span: 1.5 to 2 years

Name: Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

# of females per male: 1 to 3

separate at birth: Not needed

litter size per: 2 to 4

weight: 500 to 800 grams (adult)/ 70 to 90 grams (newborn)

pregnancy length: 60 to 65 days

life span: 4 to 6 years

note: Cannibalism may happen if they are kept within an overcrowded enclosure. Like most rodents vitamin C has to be provided they cannot synthesize their own.

Name: Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

# of females per male: 1 single breed

separate at birth: Not needed

litter size per: 4 to 5

weight: 70 to 90 grams (adult)/ 3 grams (newborn)

pregnancy length: 24 to 26 days

life span: 2 to 4 years

note: They generally form monogamous breeding pairs for life. Splitting pairs to breed with another may result in fighting. 20% of Gerbils have epileptic seizures due to handling.

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