Size difference?

[starvinart]

I've got two boys about 9 weeks old now from the same litter, who've been growing like crazy.  Cobalt was always bigger, I think Phthalo was the runt, but now he's almost twice the size.  They've both got a bit of chub on them but they're so different in size.  I know they both eat enough and get equal treats.  Is this size difference normal?  Thanks in advance!

~Laura, Cobalt & Phthalo

[kmw]

It is normal, even for rats who are brothers.  As long as they both get enough to eat (and it sounds like they do), I wouldn't worry about it.  

[Audrey]

I have 2 sisters like that.  Pipsqueek and Eskimo.  Pipsqueek is obviously the smaller one!  They are both very healthy, I can't help but to think that it's partly due to Pipsqueek prefering to bounce everywhere she goes!  She is a high energy rattie, where as Eskimo is much more laid back and mellow.  My opinion would be it is normal if, as said before, they get plenty to eat of course.  

[unity]

Yeah, Pinky is still the same size that she was when she was 4 months old, and her sisters are both huge.

[knuckles]

you know I've noticed that my five original girls (who are on the small side), eat  alot more food than the three new rats do.  but the five girls do alot more running around too.

[Jodi]

Yup, it's normal. I got Vinnie and Guido at the same time, both the same age... but even when they were little tykes, I could tell Vinnie was going to be a chub because his little rear-end was already a wide-load, even when he was tiny with a short little body. I was right... they're just over 3 months old now, and Vin probably weighs a good 100 grams more than Guido does!

I've had adult males who have ranged from 300 grams to 765 grams in size!