African Soft Fur Rats

First and foremost, it is extremely EASY to get overrun by an ASF colony!

Please do your research before investing in a colony

African Soft Furs are also known as:

- Natal Multimammate Mouse
- Natal Multimammate Rat

- Common African Rat

Fun Fact:

Female rats can get pregnant again

3 HOURS after laying their litter!

Colors: Multiple Varieties
Average Life Span: Average is 2 - 3 years

Gestation Period: 21 - 26 days (average 23)

Litter Size: 10 - 50+ (easy to be overrun)

My Suppliers

Brandon Hernandez from Oodles A' Noodles

Brandon is the master behind my fantastic quality of ASFs because they all came from him! He is basically Gandalf.

Why I breed ASFs for my collection

I love African Soft furs for two reasons: No smell and they are CUTE!

You can house ASFs in a cage, aquarium, or chew proof bins. A regular size rat cage works great as well for a group of these, but just make sure the young rats can't fit through the bars. These little guys are also extreme chewers! You'll want to keep them active with something to chew on. I give them old toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

ASFs have a bad reputation for being bitters. Besides biting ASFs can JUMP.
They are known to be very bouncy at times, and can even jump out of snake tubs if you do not close them in time. Handling ASFs daily will sustain a good relationship between you and your rats. I've noticed with my collection that the more I interact with them, the less they are leaping and bounding from me when I pull their tub out for cleaning.

I feed my ASF colonies Doggy Bag Dog Food from Tractor Supply. Throughout the week they are also given scraps of vegetables (mainly sweet potatoes), salad mixings, and an unsalted mix of assorted nuts. If you're wanting to do a trail mix of unsalted nuts go to your nearest grocery store and pick out unsalted nuts in the bulk department.

The best part about owning and breeding ASFs is they produce very little smell! I use pine pellet and pine flake shavings for their bedding to help with the potential of odor, but so far I haven't had that ghastly smell you can get with other rodents.

Shopping Supplies

frequently asked questions

Q: What is the best temp for breeding ASFs at?

A: 70 - 72 degrees has worked best for us

Q: Why did my first litter get eaten?
A: Stress. It's common for first time moms

Q: Can I add another male to my colony?
A: You can, but a fight will break out.

Q: When should I retire a female?
A: When she is producing single digit litters

Q: How can you tell if an ASF is old?
A: Their fur changes and isn't as soft or "fresh"

Q: What is a good ratio to start breeding?
A: 1 male to 3 females (average)

Q: Do I need to include a hide in their enclosure?

A: YES! They are very active animals and will need a place to make into their burrow. I also give mine toilet/paper towel rolls so that can shred it, play with it, or chew on it.

Q: Do ASFs bite?

A: Anything with a mouth can bite

Q: Why do I keep finding half eaten' babies?
A: Add additional protein to your ASFs diet, and make sure you have water available 24/7

Q: How do you pick up an ASF?
A: By the tail

Q: Can I keep these as pets?
A: Sure thing! Just make you have at least two

Q: How often do you clean your rats?
A: They get changed weekly

Q: Why do you line breed?

A: I line breed my rats because I want to have the best quality. I don't want any issues.

Q: Do you sell ASF colonies?

A: Not anymore