My history/line information. My main/primary dwarf line are a result of line-breeding within my mentors’ marten line to achieve my first dwarf buck: STL Bandit, who has gone on to father three litters and produce several dwarf children.
Bandit was first paired with WTCH Mochi, and produced 4 dwarf girls. I have kept one (STL Vanilla Bean Frappucino), for my project. Another (STL Pumpkin Spiced Latte) will be picked up by my partner, Jen at Bewitched Rattery. The other two girls will be going to my mentor for her assessment.
Secondly, I was graciously given a pair of dwarf-carrier sisters from Blue Stone Siamese Rattery in Maryland (BSS Thelma & BSS Louise). Both were bred to STL Bandit, and they produced STL Miles & STL Haymitch, respectively, two bucks I’ve kept who will be key to furthering my dwarf project and goals. I’ve also kept two siamese dwarf bucks, STL Peter Parker & STL Flint Marko, in an effort to lock down a C-locus dwarf line (exclusively siamese & marten). Two dwarf black self girls, STL Rue & STL Wiress, will be sent to my partner. From Jen at Bewitched, I will be obtaining WTCH McSir, a marked siamese dwarf buck out of her BSS rats, as well as WTCH Capaldi- his standard size dwarf-carrier brother, who will be paired with their standard size dwarf-carrier cousins (STL Thor & STL Steve) in hopes of achieving more dwarfs and securing the line.
Dwarf care & considerations. A dwarf rat is not just a small rat, it is a specific recessive gene that causes dwarfism and reduced growth hormones. They are quite small around 80-120g fully grown, or 1/3 a standard adult size. They also have cosmetic features that let you know they are a dwarf: smaller feet, thinner shorter tails, larger-looking eyes or sometimes a stout, squished body shape. Because of their reduced growth hormone, they’re less prone to tumors and tend to have a longer lifespan as a result. Their average life expectancy is 3 – 3.5 years. They can also be prone to obesity, so they should be fed in moderation.
Comparisons to their standard siblings.
Three week old comparison of dwarf to their standard size sibling.
Three week olds, feet & tails comparison.
Three week olds, head/face comparison.
Five week old comparison of dwarf to their standard size sibling.
Five week olds, feet & tails comparison.
Five week olds, head/face comparison.
12 week old comparison of dwarf to their standard size sibling.
12 week olds, feet & tails comparison.
12 week olds, head/face comparison.