Gambian Pouched Rats : A guide to their husbandry and care

By Ismerie Laurencin

So you have taken a liking in the world's biggest pet rats? Let this guide show you the path to gaining a rat's trust and begin a new journey with complete, up-to-date, accurate information on this specie. This book includes but is not limited to : How to calculate a proper diet, the perfect housing solutions, how to manage a constant proper temperature, their most lethal ennemy : torpor and how to avoid it, learning their body language and breeding 101. I have dedicated my life to researching, among others, this specie, and hope to share the knowledge I've gained with others by writing this book. Written by the facebook viral sensation page "Sylar pouchie & co" in association with the NPRS (National pouched rat society)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716689475

Book preview

Gambian Pouched Rats

a guide to their husbandry and care

Written and illustrated by Ismerie L

Revisions by Clare and Louis Varley of the National Pouched Rat Society

Contents

Preface

Species Overview

Rules and Regulations

United States

European Union

United Kingdom

Husbandry of Gambian Pouched Rats

Choosing a Cage

Introducing a Pouched Rat to their cage

Environment and Entertainment

Nests and Bedding

Holding a Pouched Rat Correctly

Introducing a Pouched Rat to another Pouched Rat.

Spaying and neutering

Diet and Feeding

Meals and Nutrition

Litter training

Pouched rats and other pets

Body language

Vocalisations

Cage rage

Harness training and visiting the outside world

Choosing a vet

Breeding Gambian Pouched Rats

Photoperiods and controlling breeding

Infanticide

Stages of growth in a Pouched Rat.

Hand-weaning orphans, Bottle feeding

Health & ailments

Amoxicillin

What is a torpor?

Torpor in Pouched Rats

Torpors and hibernation, one and the same?

My Pouched Rat is in torpor! what do I do?

Dry tail/Poor quality fur

Cheek Prolapse

How to diagnosis a cheek pouch prolapse?

How to fix a cheek pouch prolapse?

Giardia

Less Serious Ailments

Special mentions

APOPO’s HeroRats

Sylar Pouched Rat & Co

National Pouched Rat Society (NPRS)

UK Pouchies

Baby Gambian Pouched Rat at 2.5 weeks old, in the hands of his breeder

Preface

I have kept Gambian Pouched Rats for half of my life, and collected all the information I could gather. Pouched Rats are still rarely kept as pets and although common on the exotic market and highly in demand, there is so very little information on the species. It is a shame as a lot of people who dive into owning a Pouched Rat aren't educated on the matter and end up surprised, to say the least. They are truly incredible pets, but I have yet to decide if they are good pets or not, globally. That is because as many good sides as there are to keeping them, there is just the same number of downsides. They will bond like no other. They might even follow like a dog, without any leash or boundaries! They can also be a nightmare. Their teeth will shred skin and concrete alike. There is no safe cage that will hold them. One has been known to tear through a kitchen wall to bring you the gift of a dead mouse at your feet. They never intend to be aggressive or mean but trust me when I say they will accidentally be. They are smart animals and pulling back your hand when bitten will only teach them that biting gets the hand moved away. However, this is actually also a good thing. They will also learn quickly that a bite has no effect on you if you do not react. They will respond very well to positive reinforcement, positive training and rewards. They however are very stubborn with excellent memories and never forget anything.

They will lick your nose. Bring you gifts from around their home and are capable of doing their business on a human toilet. They may sing to you through cage bars hoping to be cuddled. Chewing through cables is not uncommon as is marking you with their cheek glands. Stealing items of their choosing and taking them to their nest. If you dare not to let them out enough, they'll chew their cage bars at 3 AM.

They are both the best and worst pets at times. You won't get lucky with an animal that won't show downsides. They all have some. It's all a question of if you're ready and patient enough to accept one into your home. It is definitely worth it, but not for everyone.

A lot of Pouched Rats are sold on second hand sites because they turned aggressive when they actually weren't. They just bit once and their owner got scared and it became a learned behaviour. They may have eaten through a wall. Marked their owner because they were happy to see them. Played a little rough. Pouched Rats usually bond to only one owner (although that can be moderated and proper training