Rat life cycle only the life cycle of the roof rat rattus rattus is discussed on this page since this is the only rat that is common here in central florida.
Roof rat life cycle.
Once inside roof rats not only damage materials by gnawing through them but they also contaminate stored food and serve as vectors of dangerous diseases.
Similarly the mating of roof rats with domestic rats causes unhealthy breeding and the babies are unlikely to survive.
The dominant male will prevent other males from mating with his group of females and watches out for the family.
From birth to adult rats take about three weeks to mature and begin fending for themselves.
Unlike brown rats roof rats create their nests in high places like attics.
Roof rats often enter buildings at the roofline so be sure that all access points in the roof are sealed.
In the life cycle of a rat it produces around seven offspring at a time.
Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats.
Breeding during this period causes the size of her litters to be smaller than average.
Life expectancy for rats is about two to three years.
Peak breeding season for the roof rat typically occur in spring and fall.
If roof rats are traveling on overhead utility wires contact a pest control professional or the utility company for information and assistance with measures that can be taken to prevent this.
Life cycle roof rat females breed when they are about three months old.
Newborn rats may reach independence and reproductive maturity at about 3 months.
The litters are usually spaced at intervals of 60 to 65 days.
Rats are social animals.
Despite having some different habits the rat life cycle for both species is similar.
Roof rats give birth to about 5 to 8 young after a gestation period of 21 to 23 days and may have up to 4 litters a year.
Most species of rats live in nests comprised of an alpha male several females and the young rats.
The rodents reach sexual maturity in about five weeks and begin mating soon after to produce the next generation to start the rat life cycle over again.
However many rats die after the first year due to predation and interspecies conflict.
Products for control of roof rats.
A female roof rat lays 3 4 litters per year.
The roof rat life cycle.
When they are born rats have no fur and they are also blind.
During the menopause process the reproduction cycle of a female rat becomes more irregular.
The gestation period is about 25 days and litters normally range from 4 to 10 young and average about 6.
Roof rats are born in a nest in a litter of 6 8 young.
Babies roof rats are born in litters of 4 8 pups which are small pink blind and confined to the nest.
The life cycle of a rat.
A female rat has a gestation period of three weeks and they can have five litters or so in a single year.
