What is a baby rat called? - briefly
A newborn rat is called a pinkie, also referred to as a pup.
What is a baby rat called? - in detail
A newborn rat is commonly referred to as a pup. In the earliest days, the term pinkie is also used because the young’s skin lacks fur and appears pink.
Pups are born hairless, blind, and deaf. Their eyes open after about 10–14 days, and a thin coat of fur begins to develop shortly thereafter. By the third week they can crawl and explore the nest, and by the fourth week they start to eat solid food alongside their mother’s milk.
Key developmental milestones:
- Day 0–2: Fully dependent, temperature regulation provided by the mother.
- Day 3–7: Growth of whiskers and the first signs of fur.
- Day 8–14: Eyes open; increased mobility.
- Day 15–21: Beginning of solid food intake; fur becomes more noticeable.
- Day 22–28: Weaning completed; independence from mother’s milk.
Adult rats reach sexual maturity at 5–6 weeks, at which point the term “pup” is no longer applicable. The distinction between “pup” and “pinkie” is primarily age‑related: “pinkie” denotes the first two weeks of life, while “pup” covers the whole juvenile period up to weaning.
Understanding these terms clarifies communication in scientific literature, pet care, and pest‑control contexts, ensuring precise reference to the animal’s age and developmental stage.