Platinum ASF litter

So after months of wondering WHY my platinums weren't having any litters, I finally walk in last night at 1 or 2 AM and there's a litter!

. . .

Unfortunately, there is also a lot of fighting and mating and squeaking going on in the tank, and the litter is all injured or dead and scattered over the floor of the cage being trampled. I guess if I were any later, they'd all be dead. They weren't moving when I picked them up, and they were ICE cold, but after sitting on my warm hand for a bit they were squeaking and moving a bit. Fortunately I had another ASF with a litter, who just so happened to be one that I would trust to foster some babies. So I rolled them around together a bit so they all smelled the same, and put them in.

This morning, I don't know if they're all still there or not, but most are. And the foster mother is nursing them! Phew!
Most of them were pretty badly bruised and several had cuts, so I don't know how they'll do in the end, but at least they've got a shot now.

I removed a male from the colony, and things instantly settled down. Anyone want an XL platinum ASF male? Doesn't play well with other males, should be perfectly fine for putting in a female mouse colony, doesn't bite! Just not good in a breeding colony setting, with other males apparently.

Sorry to hear about the babies who didn't make it. Would be neat to see some pics. Not sure I've ever seen a platinum ASF.

Well for your viewing pleasure, here is one of my bucks, and a litter with some platinums (though none were perfect) that popped up in my REW litter.

the little odd ear is sooo cute...I don't know why I like that trait so much...lol

Pretty! Are they BE or do they have ruby eyes? What are the genetics behind the color? Just wondering; in rats platinum looks very different.

The babies are still cute, perfect or not :-)

Sorry to hear about what happened! I would have been in tears!

Platinum have black eyes, and black ears.

There is a pink eyed white, and also a ruby eyed white in that photo.


Unfortunate update, the whole litter is gone.
I guess they were too beat up, the foster mother culled them (or disposed of them) between this morning and now. Poo.
Well at least I took out the offending ASF and can hopefully get some more litters now.

Stina wrote:the little odd ear is sooo cute...I don't know why I like that trait so much...lol

It is rather endearing isn't it.

That is a sad story. I am so sorry for your loss. Here's to new, healthy litters to come.

That is very sad. But geez, what gorgeous creatures they are.

If you are willing to save him, I always have room for one more lady. It's up to you.

Tiny if you'd like him, he's yours. I'll keep him around till RF. He'll do well with house mouse does, just no males.

That is great! Is he tame with people?

He's alright with people. He won't bite, or nip or anything, and he's okay being handled very carefully but doesn't particularly like it. He'll go for cheek rubs inside the cage, and is pretty laid back for photographing.

Poor babes.

How do you get a platinum again?
Is it some variation on the headspot gene?

Yeah, Rhasputin's ASF's have never bitten me. They always pee on her, but only once on me. (That ASF was displeased with me.) And I am amazed how still they will sit in the cage and let me stroke them! My first ASF was a real fang-meister. Rhasputin's ASF's are great! Those platinum ones look like x-brindle bucks!

What the heck.? ASF, what are they. I gather the line has a tendency to be nasty.??? Please explain.

They do have a tendency to be nasty, but my lines are tame.

They are African Soft furred rats, you can learn more about them at my website, by clicking the ASF in my signature!

Rhasputin, do you ever rehome any of your ASFs as pets and can they be kept with mice?

I do, and they can.

Oh ok. I'll let them pass

Female ASF's make excellent companions for solitary mus musculus bucks, esp. those with OCD scratching problems. They are devoted, loyal, and affectionate.

I wish they weren't banned here. The platinum are gorgeous and I love the odd eared!

I cannot for the life of me figure out if they are illegal in Connecticut.

It's typically incredibly difficult to figure out legalities about rodents. You can try contacting your local fish and game department.

Honestly, though, you're not likely to get a good answer out of them either.