The lifespan of a rat is 1.5 to 3 years. Younger rats adapt better and get used to the owner, due to the fact that they are more trusting. Young animals peacefully unite into a common flock, and adult animals arrange skirmishes, which may end in the death of a weaker individual. It is not recommended to take rats up to 6 - 8 weeks old. Young rats especially need contact with their mother to gain experience and safety skills.
Instructions
Step 1
The easiest way to determine the age of a rat is to weigh it. The dependence of the weight of rats on their age differs in males and females.
A male at 2 months has a weight below average from 120 g to 150 g, an average weight from 160 g to 220 g, a high weight from 230 g to 260 g.
A male at 3 months has a weight below average from 210 g to 240 g, an average weight from 250 g to 310 g, a high weight from 320 g to 360 g.
Male at 4 months has a weight below average from 310 g to 330 g, average weight from 340 g to 410 g, high weight from 420 g to 450 g.
Male at 5 months has a weight below average from 410 g to 440 g, average weight from 500 g to 530 g, high weight from 230 g to 260 g.
Step 2
A female at 2 months has a weight below average from 120 g to 150 g, an average weight from 160 g to 210 g, a high weight from 220 g to 250 g.
A female at 3 months has a weight below average from 170 g to 200 g, an average weight from 210 g to 250 g, a high weight from 260 g to 290 g.
A female at 4 months has a weight below average from 210 g to 240 g, an average weight from 250 g to 270 g, a high weight from 280 g to 310 g.
A female at 5 months has a weight below average from 250 g to 280 g, an average weight from 290 g to 310 g, a high weight from 320 g to 350 g.
Step 3
The diagram is rather approximate, so before making a conclusion, find out what build the rat's parents were, as well as the conditions of keeping and feeding the animal. Experienced rat owners determine the approximate age of the animals by visual inspection. In young rats, the coat should shine, fit snugly to the body, and the fat layer should be evenly distributed throughout the body. The old animal has a thinner and dull coat, a thin layer of fat on the back, the spine protrudes even in conditions of good feeding, the skin on the tail is coarse and rough.
Step 4
If the rat is in old age, then, as a rule, it has problems with its teeth, the incisors grow back too much. Old rats suffer from limb weakness, their physical activity is reduced, they look for warmth. There are no roots in the incisors of the rat, so they are constantly growing. The front surface of the incisors is covered with strong enamel, but there is no coating on the back, the incisors wear there faster, the sharpening of the teeth takes the form of a chisel.
