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: STEL 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 kept one (Vanilla Bean Frappucino), for observation. Unfortunately, she passed away unexpectedly at four months old from a severe uterine hemorrhage. STEL Pumpkin Spiced Latte was sent to my partner, Jen at Bewitched Rattery, for her program. The other two girls were given 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 STEL Bandit, and they produced STEL Miles & STEL Haymitch, respectively, two dwarf bucks were kept back and will be key to furthering mine and my partner’s dwarf projects and goals. I’ve also kept back two siamese dwarf bucks, STEL Peter Parker for myself & STEL Flint Marko was given to Jen/WTCH, in an effort to lock down our C-locus dwarf lines (exclusively siamese & marten). Two dwarf black self girls, STEL Rue & STEL Wiress (now Ebony), were given to my partner. From her, I obtained WTCH McSir, a patched siamese dwarf buck out of her BSS rats who will be paired with his standard size dwarf-carrier cousins 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.