You did not mention the size of their habitat! Also, how did you prevent further litters? It reminds me of the experiment on mice I did for my son when he was young. The original 3 mice in a terrarium with screen top 18" x 30" x 16" deep, >fed and watered well< (and their litter of wood chips changed often), exploded to near 100 packed next to each other in 3 months or so. Then they began to cannibalize each other massively, until some were euthanized by rocket "accidents", and a few let go into the wild. Some were just murdered by other mice and not eaten much until removed, but most were eaten, showing the vegans turned to omnivores. Thick gloves were needed because they had become savagely hostile and bit much more when their wood shavings were changed, and they had to be put into a large cardboard box, temporarily. The chewed on that, and it had to be replaced before a mass escape could happen. So basically the same results as previous lab studies on mice and rat populations---hostility and cannibalism from overpopulation. Normally, in the wild, rats and mice never live long, and become prey for numerous animals when they are young, or old and slowing down. They do not get to the point of overcrowding causing cannibalism. Your nice feeding, pure water and good treatment gave them longer lifespans without cancer. You must have had a large habitat for them!
_________________ "With every decision, think seven generations ahead of the consequences of your actions" Ute rule of life. “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”― Chief Seattle “Those Who Have the Privilege to Know Have the Duty to Act”…Albert Einstein
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