What are Natal Multimammates? They are an exotic rodent species from Africa! They aren't rats or mice, they are their own species. They are also known as African Soft Furs(ASF), ASF Rats, ASF Mice, African Natal Rat/Mouse, and the list can go on. Here, we will be calling them Natal Multimammates to avoid confusion. Natal Multimammates are not a domesticated species! They are most commonly used as feeders, but slowly there are breeders working hard to breed and produce pet quality Natal Multimammates!
Natal Multimammates are from the deserts and forests of Africa. They thrive in a warm environment, and do not do well in the cold. They're also fossorial, like most rodents! This means that they spend most of their time on, and under the ground. They live in very large colonies in the wild. They are very social animals and thrive in groups.
Something I find truly amazing about them is that they have 24 nipples! Rats only have 12 nipples and mice have 10 nipples. This is why they can handle much larger litters then rats and mice can(up to 22 babies!). It is also a reason for why they are most commonly used for feeders(they produce more and reproduce quickly). Their gestation period is 21 days, and they can become pregnant again a few hours after birth.
There lifespan is about 3 years. They have a super soft, plushy coat and come in a few different colors and patterns! To see the different varieties click HERE.
Care
Diet: Natal Multimammates are omnivores. They should eat a complete rodent block with additional protein sources and fresh fruits and veggies. They require higher protein amounts than mice and rats do, ranging from 25% - 33%.
Best foods: -Mazuri Rats and Mouse Diet -Mazuri Rodent Breeder 6f -Oxbow Rat and Mouse Food -Science Selective Rat Food *All fed with a high quality seed mix(homemade is best or a carefully selected mix from the pet store), dried bugs and fresh foods*
Housing: Natal Multimammates are fossorial, so they require as much floor space as possible. Bin cages, tanks and appropriately chosen cages work best(small bar spacing, deep base and more horizontal space than vertical space).
Each adult requires at least 100 square inches of space. To figure out how many square inches of space your enclosure is, multiply the length and the width of the cage together. *All Natal Multimammates are different. Sometimes they do best in a smaller space and sometimes they do best in a larger space, so be sure to read yours as individuals and do as they prefer*
Enclosure size to colony size(M:F): 10 gallon tank- 1:1 20 gallon tank- 1:3 Medium concrete mixing tub(rack)- 1:4 105 qt bin cage- 1:5 Large concrete mixing tub(rack)- 1:6 200 qt bin cage- 1:7 Enrichment: Natal Multimammates are very smart animals and need a lot of mental stimulation. Some things to use as enrichment are chew toys, bird toys, foraging toys, feeding puzzles, homemade toys, etc.
Bedding: The best bedding's to use are kiln dried pine, aspen or hemp. These bedding's naturally absorb ammonia and odors leading to a much cleaner and safer environment. Shredded paper and timothy hay can also be provided in small amounts as nesting materials/enrichment.