Biology Of Local Rats
Rat Management Services In Twin Cities, MN
All About Norway Rat Biology
Norway rats are typically grey brown, but can be pure grey to blackish or reddish brown with a brown or white belly. They average 16 inches in length with tails that are roughly the length of the body minus the head, or less. Males are typically larger than females, and the alpha rat is often among the largest in a colony, though behavioral and social factors do contribute to this selection. Rats are capable of living in both urban and rural environments, and with or without human activity. Nests are constructed in the form of ground burrow systems, but they will also take advantage of any structural elements in their environment such as pipes and sewers.
Rats are particularly interesting in that they exhibit traits many other animals do not. They have empathy, hierarchies, cannibalism, and will even assume a fighting stance when threatened, hissing and clicking their incisors while raising their hair. They prefer to use this behavior to frighten perceived threats and allow for a quick escape. Their burrows are usually shallow at approximately 18 inches deep, and are constructed with escape routes attached to a central den. They have been known to burrow as far as 4 feet to attain structural entry, and they can learn from their previous experiences.
Home & Nesting Habits
Rats have a typical home range of 25-100 feet from their nesting location, with the precise range dictated by the size of the colony, food and water availability, and other factors. They are strong swimmers, often using waterways and sewers to travel to new locations. It is not unheard of for rats to emerge from floor drains or even toilets as a result of their use of sewers. Radio telemetry studies have demonstrated that they can be found as far as four miles away from their origin when placed into an unfamiliar territory, despite their typically limited home range.
Activity
This species is primarily nocturnal, but will forage during the day whenever populations or food scarcity are present. They are both omnivores and foragers, often setting up one or several hoards of food in locations where feeding is safer. They consume about 10% of their body weight daily, leading them on several foraging expeditions in a given day. They consume a wide variety of foods including insects, birds, mammals, carrion, nuts, berries, fruits, seeds, frogs, fish, aquatic/semiaquatic animals, cereal grains, cockroaches, pet food, and even undigested food particles in sewage and animal feces.
When food becomes scarce enough, the weaker or younger rats will sometimes be fed on by the larger rats. They require 1-2 ounces of water daily, and will use moisture-laden foods, grass dew, puddles, leaks, condensation, or traditional water sources to satisfy this need.
Rat Reproduction
Juvenile rats, called pups, are born blind and without fur. Their eyes open around 9-14 days after birth, and take another 10-15 days to fully wean after that. Adult size is generally achieved within 8-12 weeks total. Reproduction can occur any time of year but is most frequent in the spring and fall. An average life span is anywhere from 5-12 months in the wild, but they can survive as long as 3 years in captivity.
Stress, predators, extermination, disease, and other factors tend to keep life spans below the year mark. Female rats have a gestational period of 22 days, giving birth to litters of 8-12 pups at a time. Mating can occur again a single day after birthing a litter, leading most females to produce upwards of 20 pups during their lifespan (in the wild). With these rates, rat colonies can grow to 50 rats in as short a span as 5 months.
Control Your Rat Problem Today!
Please fill out this form if you are interested in bat control services. All of our services are fully warrantied! A representative of Abra Kadabra Environmental Services will be in touch with you shortly.
Not sure what kind of pest problem you have?
Check out our Pest Library to help identify what's bugging you.
Abra Kadabra Environmental Services is a member of the Better Business Bureau (with an A+ rating), NPMA (National Pest Management Association) and the MPMA (Minnesota Pest Management Association). We take our business and the safety of our clients seriously, striving to improve the lives of our neighbors with efficient, environmentally mindful pest treatments. Visit our Reviews page to see first-hand testimonials and recommendations.
Give us a call to discuss the issue you’re facing. With our years of experience, we’ve likely managed similar episodes many times. We’ll help you find a solution that works for you and your family.
To request a consultation, call Abra Kadabra at (763) 537-0330. We’re happy to discuss your concerns with you.
