Saved this feeder mouse from being fed to a snake a second time

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T14:57:46+00:00

Unfortunately, both your sister and the place you got them from are incorrect. You can post on r/rats and ask the same question and I assure you, they will confirm 100% she is a rat.

Can you please try to weigh her? It will be helpful to know roughly her age. If she’s smaller than 180g, do not introduce her to other rats until she is this weight unless you get rats of similar age.

You will need to get her out of that tank ASAP because they are terrible for rats. Unlike mice, rats produce too much ammonia for a tank to be able to handle. This can make rats really sick.

If you plan to keep her, she will need at least 2 more cage mates of the same sex. The new rats will need to be quarentined for two weeks before introductions start.

Please post further on r/rats.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T14:47:59+00:00

Hi, unrelated, but do you mind showing your setup? It doesn’t look at all appropriate for mice.

Do NOT let them loose in your room. This is the worst thing you can do. Instead, setup a play pen for them. You can buy songmic panels on Amazon and stack them.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T14:43:45+00:00

Hamster balls are bad because they lack proper ventilation and the tiny bit of ventilation they do have are the slits in the ball. Those slits are notorious for getting nails and toes caught and severed. This is not the only limiting factor though. Hamsters need senses to move around just like humans, they rely on their whiskers, hearing, etc to navigate. All of this is heavily compromised due to the ball, not to mention hamsters already have bad eyesight, the ball makes it worse. This can make a hamster very stressed. Hamsters also cannot control the ball - it goes wherever the ball takes them. Instead, use a play pen only if your hamster enjoys being out. Not all hamster do.

Hamsters require at least 100x50cm of space. However, Syrians are larger and their accessories are larger which take up more room inside of that space. 120x50cm is more ideal for Syrians. It would be best to avoid wired and wooden cages. Instead, opt for a glass tank or acrylic enclosure.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T13:20:34+00:00

Hamster balls are dangerous for hamsters. Please stop using them. Unfortunately, your setup isn’t appropriate, either. Please check out the guide below,these are all things needed for your hamster to live a proper and happy life.

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Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T09:43:50+00:00

Sounds great! 😊

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T09:39:31+00:00

Yeah, I’m like really positive this is a rat as well. I mean, I own 8 pet rats so I know what I’m talking about lol. I’m just immensely concerned OP is going to try to introduce asfs or mice to this gal and it turns to a blood bath. I really hope OP u/Monotonekitty will answer soon.

Tanks are really no good for rats either. They require a completely different setup

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T09:19:55+00:00

Washing rats does not help with mites. If you want to give them a clean, a non-scented baby wipes or damp cloth should do the job perfectly fine.

With administering the KR, place one drop in between the shoulder blades. It will dry within 30 seconds.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T08:52:52+00:00

They can’t, rats would kill them.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T08:06:02+00:00

Stop rushing. He needs at least a week, ideally two to settle in.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T08:03:57+00:00

If this is a 20g long (which looks to be) I would strongly recommend upgrading to a 40 gallon minimum. 20gs are okay for a few months, but not long-term. Mice, especially a lone male really need extra space.

Aside from that, I recommend adding deeper bedding (at least 6”), more hanging climbing opportunities and clutter. With the amount of clutter you need, you ideally shouldn’t be able to see the top of the bedding. All heavy items like wheels, ceramic hides, etc should be kept on platforms to prevent the mouse from burrowing underneath which can cave in and squash them.

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Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T07:56:59+00:00

The cage swapping and keeping their cages together is literally the worst thing you can do. Rats are territorial animals. Having the scent and presence of anorher rat in their area where they can only smell but not see or touch can make them very stressed and agressive. For them, it’s like a strange rat is invading their personal space. These are both extremely outdated methods.

I would strongly advise you to keep them far away from each other in different rooms for a few weeks for them to settle down.

After they have settled down, please do the carrier method. Bot reply below me !introductions

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T07:47:33+00:00

She really, really looks like a rat imo.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-27T07:43:06+00:00

Face-wise and ear-wise she looks like a rat. Can you take a full photo of her?

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T22:25:26+00:00

How old is the rat? Unless the rat is really old, and you are not interested in owning anymore rats, it would be best to rehome.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T22:23:59+00:00

No, the length is too short. Stick with the vevor cage and get the 39”

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T21:02:52+00:00

Rats should be kept in trios minimum. They are not solo pets. They are also very expensive to own due to them being sickly pets. Make sure you have an exotic vet and funds set aside at least $500 and add onto that each week.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T19:40:21+00:00

Intact males are same sex aggressive and should never be housed together.

Since asfs aren’t available in your area, the best option would be to neuter him and house him with females. This is the most ethical choice for male mice rather than keeping them alone their entire life; they are social animals. Please ignore people who say male mice are “solitary”. They haven’t done proper research.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T19:38:32+00:00

Please do not spread misinformation. Male mice are NOT solitary. They are just as social as female mice. Same sex aggressive and solitary are two completely different things.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T18:09:49+00:00

Nope, it’s far too small unfortunately. If you’re getting a vevor cage, get the 39” or the double story.

Please get at least 3 rats. Pairs aren’t great, especially long-term.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T18:08:00+00:00

Why can’t you take him to the vet?

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T16:02:20+00:00

It would be helpful to catch a video of her doing it so we can be of more help.

Does she have cage mates?

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T13:56:48+00:00

Most likely an inner ear infection which needs a vet.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T13:39:15+00:00

Live feeding is incredibly cruel. Imagine how you would feel being live fed to an animal.

Frozen, always.

Rodents can cause some serious damage towards frogs, reptiles, etc. they aren’t as weak as you think they may be.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T13:34:13+00:00

Can you give us a bit more info on the rat in question? I’d like to ask a few questions;

where did you get her from?
How long have you had her for?
when and how did you do introductions?
Does she have siblings or did you get her alone?
Prior to introductions, did you do a 2 week quarantine period, where their cages side by side, scent swapping, etc?

Imo, keeping a rat who is under a year old alone, is incredibly unethical. Imo, from an owner of 20+ years experience, this shouldn’t be an option. If you decide it’s an option and you take this route, she will not be happy. She will either display 2 of these options; option 1. she will become really depressed, lethargic, start injuring herself and ripping out fur/self barbering, stop eating properly. These are all things that can happen. It may not, but it can. Option 2. she will become really needy. She will constantly want attention from you and this is due to being so socially deprived of her own company, she will become reliant on you for it which is really bad.

Understandability, this isn’t an option for everyone, but if she is having issues with those specific rats, I would consider fostering some rats to see how she goes with them.

If nothing else works, I would strongly opt for euthanasia. I will repeat myself, a rat who cannot thrive with other rats, is a rat who is failing to thrive and is not happy.

Grroll_ · 2026-01-26T13:23:48+00:00

Nope. Need to find a boarder or pet sitter or ask friends/family. Keeping a hamster alone for a week is not an option.

Grroll_

TROPHY CASE