This article is from the WSSF 2017 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Karen Robbins

Katherine Brown, FL, e-mail
Q I saw my male and my other female mouse mate about 4 times. I checked her for a plug but there was no plug. Does that mean she did not get pregnant?

A You don’t always see one. Seeing a plug just indicates the mating was successful, not that she is actually pregnant. These vaginal plugs are usually seen in the morning (they normally breed at night) and last 8–12 hours. Leave them together until you see her starting to get a big belly.

With rats, the plug lasts 12–24 hours but falls out easier than on mice.

A Champagne Self Standard female mouse with a vaginal plug. Mouse owned and bred by Karen Robbins, Karen’s Kritters. Photo ©2013 Karen Robbins.

Back to top