MANX (AKA TAILLESS) Click on the above to see our Facebook page on the Manx rat https://www.facebook.com/groups/1836236953269523/ I want to make this VERY clear, NONE of these rats tails have been DOCKED. They have been BORN this way. The manx gene is NOT a simple recessive. It takes several manx (at least 3) in a pedigree to even get the manx mutation and sometimes that's not even the case. The manx I have are VERY healthy. I've had the manx gene since 2009. I've bred the line once a yr. All of which have been healthy, happy and never had any problems with mobility/health/temperament. Recently (8-13) I had a Siamese manx doe with mild issues. She leaks urine, but climbs and has good mobility. No issues with BM's. How ever she will NOT be bred because of the issue, no matter how small it is. Her brother how ever is doing great and has NO issues at this point. ALL the manx that are born here, are observed for at least 11 months IF they fit the breeding criteria. This means, health, mobility, and temperament all must be sound BEFORE breeding takes place. I take a lot of time with each and every rat in my rattery. Each rat is observed and healthy BEFORE breeding takes place. The manx gene is NOT for everyone, and just because someone is breeding them, does NOT make that breeder unethical. We work very hard with the manx gene, and keep close tabs on them, maybe a bit more so then their tailed counter parts. Breeding the Manx rat is NOT to be taken lightly. It's IMPORTANT to have a SOLID pedigree behind ANY tailless rat, BEFORE breeding. I will NOT stop breeding my manx line, unless I feel the rats are in jeopardy and I keep a VERY close eye on this line (all my lines). If you feel a breeder is unethical for working with manx, that's YOUR opinion, and keep it to yourself. Unless you can provide solid proof of anything unethical that breeder is doing. You most likely don't know much about the manx mutation if you are fighting and spreading false information. People think it's mean that they don't have a tail. That they can't climb or move, or their pelvis will fuse (all false). They can't regulate their body temperature, with a missing tail. Yes a rats tail HELPS with body temp but if a manx or ANY rat for that matter is left in a hot room, it will over heat and die, no matter if it has a tail or NOT. I've had NO problems with my manx rats, when it comes to heat, BUT I also have not put them in a position where they could over heat or ANY of my rats for that matter. I have found that if people are afraid of rats, it's because of their tail (not sure why really) but if they find out that there are tailless rats, most of them are intrigued and are more willing to meet and hold a rat without a tail. Then once they get past that fear, then most of the time they are more willing to hold and meet a rat with a tail. It's a WIN WIN for the rats. All I am asking is keep an open mind, when it comes to manx rats. Learn before spreading false information and calling someone unethical. There are other mutations out there that are not considered unethical but when you learn about their health issues, it could be considered unethical BUT the breeders that are working with ANY mutation that has it's "issues" we are aware of what they are and ALL issues can be bred out. I'm not saying ALL manx are like mine and the other breeders I know. But keep an open mind for those of us that work our rears off and spend time and money on our rats and the heath and improvement of each mutation we have. It might take YEARS of work but if that breeder is dedicated to that mutation it CAN and has been done.
Siamese Rex Manx doe a few hours after birth. Notice the lack of tail.
Her entire litter. She's the only manx.
Here she is at 10 days old.
Three weeks old.
MAC Cayenne Pepper (born from tailed parents)
MAC Amazing Grace (born from manx mom and tailed father)
MAC Sun Tan Sun Rise (born from Tailed parents)
MAC Testi-Ments (born from tailed parents)
This little mese manx (born from tailed parents)
Hind end of male manx.
one day old
5 days old (same as photo to the left)
One week old (same as above) baby MAC Testi-Ments
upper view
First manx born here in 2009 two males one female. This is the day they were born (NO the tail was NOT docked) Tailed parents.