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Pairing up Acacia rats for breeding needs to be done in the juvenile stage before they reach sexual maturity or it can be quite difficult to achieve a compatible pairing. Apart from the combination of a male and female juvenile, another good combination is with an older mature male Acacia rat with a young juvenile female (or two females). Either of the combinations should work out fine.
Once the female Acacia rat reaches sexual maturity they can be quite quarrelsome with any direct introductions with a male, and therefore need a quite lengthy split tank introduction. Even so, and after a lengthy intro success isn’t always guaranteed. The rate of success can be lower than 50:50.
With all split introductions things must be taken slowly. Observe their behaviour daily for signs of aggression or attempts at bonding. Only when you feel that the animals are attempting to bond and are spending periods with each other through the divide should you then attempt to introduce the two animals together.
The breeding of Acacia rats is a straightforward procedure if you have a happy and harmonious pair, and the resulting pups (which are never in great numbers) usually grow quickly and adapt well with no special intervention on the owners part.
Although the females are sexually mature at around 9 weeks it usually takes a few more months of integration before you see any pups. Adult males have a visible scrotal sac and females have three pairs of mammae (nipples). Which makes sexing and identification rather easy and straightforward. As mentioned the females have 6 mammae (nipples) but usually the pup count is quite low, normally being a pair. It is quite a rarity to see higher numbers such as four or five pups.
This low pup count in litters is in itself a great advantage to the owner when managing a colony of Acacia rats. They are not prone to “over breeding” at all, and the juveniles produced will live in harmony with other members of the group. Colony management isn’t complex and usually it is only the dominant female that produces pups, and all the family members will be descended from her. There is virtually never a dispute with the lactating mother and the rest of the group.
Another advantage to colony management is that the pups will spend a lot longer from their weaning age before they are ready to mingle in with the colony and separate from the mother, so you will find that the distance between a female producing another litter will last a lot longer than just gestation. Gestation itself is around 24 days. This interval allows her to bring up the pups at a more relaxed rate, and allows the pups to develop the social skills they need to properly integrate into the colony.
As mentioned the most common number of pups born is two to three individuals. Although even with a singular pup, which is quite common, the female will most likely raise it successfully to adulthood.
The most amazing thing with Acacia rat pups and what sets them apart from a lot of other rodents is that they do not scramble about, or away from their nest as young, but rely totally on mum to transport them around. They do this by firmly attaching to her nipples as she goes about her daily activities of socialising and foraging, etc. This is an amazing sight to observe as she’s climbing branches carrying her pups in tow, all attached to her nipples! If your female is also tame she will still come to you to accept treats, and that way you will get a closer look at her pups. Independence from the mother is attained around the 31st day.
There are two main precautions when breeding and raising pups. Firstly, although Acacia rat are equipped to go without water for short amounts of time, and are thoroughly adapted to xeric environments, it is the availability and plentiful supplies of water sources that enable the rodents to go into breeding condition, which in turn enables them to raise their pups successfully. So always make sure that water supplies are adequate, and the water bottle is never empty. Supplementing with fruit and vegetables during this period is essential. I have read of several keepers losing a litter over night because of letting a water bottle go empty.
Secondly, if you approach their nest box with young present you will most likely hear a loud chattering of teeth! They are basically warning you off and protecting their territory. You will probably get bitten if you disturb their nest box if young are being raised in there.
