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.

Roof rat life cycle.

Roof rats are born in a nest in a litter of 6 8 young. The gestation period is about 25 days and litters normally range from 4 to 10 young and average about 6. The roof rat gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Products for control of roof rats.

Life cycle roof rat females breed when they are about three months old. However many rats die after the first year due to predation and interspecies conflict. Babies roof rats are born in litters of 4 8 pups which are small pink blind and confined to the nest. Peak breeding season for the roof rat typically occur in spring and fall.

The life cycle of a rat. Unlike brown rats roof rats create their nests in high places like attics. The roof rat life cycle. Rats are social animals.

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. The dominant male will prevent other males from mating with his group of females and watches out for the family. Most species of rats live in nests comprised of an alpha male several females and the young rats. Roof rats often enter buildings at the roofline so be sure that all access points in the roof are sealed.

Despite having some different habits the rat life cycle for both species is similar. The litters are usually spaced at intervals of 60 to 65 days. Life expectancy for rats is about two to three years. A female roof rat lays 3 4 litters per year.

They can have twins which will take it to a maximum of 14. Newborn rats may reach independence and reproductive maturity at about 3 months. Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats. A female rat reaches her menopause after 18 months.

During the menopause process the reproduction cycle of a female rat becomes more irregular. When they are born rats have no fur and they are also blind. 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. Breeding during this period causes the size of her litters to be smaller than average.

A female rat has a gestation period of three weeks and they can have five litters or so in a single year. Similarly the mating of roof rats with domestic rats causes unhealthy breeding and the babies are unlikely to survive. From birth to adult rats take about three weeks to mature and begin fending for themselves.