What does a two‑week‑old rat look like? - briefly
At two weeks old, the pup measures roughly 5–6 cm, has pink, largely hairless skin, and its eyes remain closed. Its ears are tiny, whiskers are just beginning to appear, and the tail is thin and pink.
What does a two‑week‑old rat look like? - in detail
A rat that is approximately fourteen days old exhibits several distinct physical characteristics that differentiate it from both newborn pups and older juveniles.
The body length, measured from nose to the base of the tail, ranges from 4 cm to 6 cm. The tail adds an additional 5 cm to 7 cm, appearing thin, pink, and relatively hair‑less. Body mass typically falls between 10 g and 15 g.
Fur development is nearly complete. The coat is soft, dense, and uniformly colored, most often a light brown or gray shade, though albino strains display pure white fur. The hair covers the entire body except for the tail and the ventral surface of the paws.
Sensory organs are mature enough to function independently:
- Eyes are open, irises dark, pupils responsive to light.
- Ears are fully formed, covered with fine hair, capable of detecting moderate sounds.
- Whiskers (vibrissae) are long, stiff, and spread symmetrically around the snout, providing tactile feedback.
Limbs are proportionate to the body, with well‑defined paws. Digits are clearly separated, each ending in a small, sharp claw. The forepaws are capable of grasping, while the hind limbs support rapid crawling and occasional short hops.
Skin under the fur is pinkish and thin, especially on the tail and foot pads, indicating minimal subcutaneous fat at this stage. The abdominal area is slightly rounded, reflecting ongoing growth of internal organs.
Behaviorally, a two‑week‑old rat is active, explores its surroundings, and begins to exhibit social interactions such as gentle grooming of littermates. Its diet consists primarily of soft, high‑protein milk formula supplemented with occasional solid food fragments introduced by the mother.
These morphological and functional traits collectively define the appearance and condition of a rat at the two‑week developmental point.