Why does a rat not feed its pups after birth? - briefly
Newborn rats are altricial and incapable of consuming solid food, so the mother supplies nourishment solely via milk from her nipples. Therefore, she does not provide any other type of feed immediately after delivery.
Why does a rat not feed its pups after birth? - in detail
Mammalian rodents typically provide nourishment to offspring through lactation, but the mother rat does not engage in direct feeding immediately after delivery. The newborns are altricial; they possess closed eyes, limited mobility, and lack the ability to thermoregulate. Their survival depends on a sequence of maternal behaviors that differ from direct nursing at the moment of birth.
- The dam instinctively builds a nest of soft material, creating a micro‑environment that conserves heat and protects the litter from predators and contaminants.
- She produces a copious milk supply within 12–24 hours postpartum; until this physiological shift occurs, the pups rely on yolk sac reserves absorbed before birth.
- Immediately after parturition, the mother spends the majority of her time cleaning each infant, stimulating circulation and eliminating fetal membranes. This grooming triggers the pups’ instinctual rooting and suckling reflexes.
- Hormonal regulation, particularly the rise of prolactin and oxytocin, governs the onset of milk secretion. These hormones peak only after the initial nest‑building phase, delaying the availability of milk.
- Energy allocation favors the rapid establishment of a stable nest and the activation of the lactational system rather than continuous nursing in the first hours.
Once the mammary glands become fully functional, the mother initiates frequent nursing bouts, typically every 2–3 hours. The early period without direct feeding is therefore a controlled, adaptive strategy that balances nest construction, hormonal preparation, and the limited nutritional reserves carried by the neonates.