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.

Bandit was then paired to both BSS Thelma and Louise (who I was graciously given from Diana), and from Thelma I have a male siamese dwarf called Flint, who is being held in reserve to be bred later this year.

Jen (Bewitched) was also given 6 from the same litter from Diana, which she line-bred. From Jen, I obtained WTCH McSir, a patched siamese dwarf buck out of her BSS rats who has been paired with his standard size dwarf-carrier female relatives in hopes of achieving more dwarfs and securing the fledgling dwarf line.

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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.