About Rats

Did you know?

• Rats have an extreme and irrational dislike of anything new or unfamiliar.
• They can fit into an opening the size of a nickel.
• They are primarily nocturnal.
• They are great swimmers and climbers.
• The species originated in southeast Asia.

Eating Habits

• They habitually rob other species of their food.
• They also eat roaches and snails.
• They will gnaw on anything.

Behavior

• They burrow under the dirt to make their nests, but also live in sewers.
• They will travel well beyond their comfort zone of 150 feet from the nest for the right opportunity, whether it be food or reproduction.

Physical Characteristics

•  Their tails are longer than their bodies.
• They are partially blind.
• Their ears are oversized for their heads.

Development

• Female rats can have 4 to 6 litters per year, with 6 to 8 pups per litter.
• Baby rats rapidly grow to maturity in 2 to 5 months.
• The population is dominated by strong males.