WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A West Warwick teen was shocked when she brought home two male rats, only to have them give birth.
Nadine Deware said the pet store owner has told her the rats were "jumbo" male rats, but turned out to be very pregnant female ones.
"I saw them popping out like crazy," Deware said.
The 17-year-old says the rats, "Axil" and "Diamond," gave birth to 23 babies, each about an inch long.
Deware could have brought the babies back to the pet store as a store credit, but she was afraid they'd be sold as pet food.
Instead, Deware is giving the baby rats to Mainely Rat Rescue, a rat-focused animal shelter with foster homes around Rhode Island.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports:
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