I found a water rat's nest in a self-watering planter base a few years ago after the plant (a large palm) had died and I was clearing out the dirt, so I could take it downstairs (we lived in a condo next to a lagoon). I had gotten to the bottom of the pot and saw pink wiggling bodies. Mom was gone. I called Animal Control and they told me leave the babies alone and the mom would move them. Sure enough, I checked the next day and they were gone.