Doe anyone here know about African Soft-Furred Rats (anything?)?

They are also called Natal Multimammate Rats, Multimammate Mice, or Common African Rats. The species is Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis.
I could use ANY information anyone has on these guys, especially any websites or articles, with the exception of the ONE I've been able to find myself, by Russel Tofts. It starts out: "One of the commonest African rodents, this is an ideal species..." etc, etc. It's been copied many times.
Please, if anyone has ever actually OWNED these, help me out; I just bought four and I'd like to know how close they've come to being tame, if their bites transmit any uncommon ailments, and especially a good way to sex them (young ones)! I know just about everything on Rattus Norvegicus (fancy rat) and now I'm looking to breed these guys too. Snake owners welcome; info is info! = )

2007-11-25T06:05:20Z

Thank you, kukimonster!
I just got them, which is why I needed to know how to sex them (so I could trade some out if they are all females as I suspect!) No names yet, I just refer to them as "Little One", "Blacky", "Head Spot" and "No Head Spot". = )

X puppy_love X2007-11-25T03:09:09Z

Favorite Answer

http://asfrats.info/
everything you need should be in the website above.

ive never owned any but im looking into it too!! if i find any more info,, ill put in an edit!

btw, have you named them?

wesley2007-11-25T17:42:18Z

I keep my colony basically the same way I did when I had rats/mice. They are all in tubs with homemade lids. I provide mine with a bit of wood to gnaw on and they definitely use it!

As far as different nutritional requirements there are some thoughts out there and different methods but I personally am still feeding a rodent block just like I was to my rats/mice.

batwrangler2007-11-27T12:09:24Z

I just got some myself and have been building a refernce page: http://batwrangler.net/multimammate/