Roof Rat Life Cycle

The dominant male will prevent other males from mating with his group of females and watches out for the family.

Roof rat life cycle.

A female roof rat lays 3 4 litters per year. Despite having some different habits the rat life cycle for both species is similar. Newborn rats may reach independence and reproductive maturity at about 3 months. 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.

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. Life expectancy for rats is about two to three years. Products for control of roof rats. Life cycle roof rat females breed when they are about three months old.

The gestation period is about 25 days and litters normally range from 4 to 10 young and average about 6. Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats. 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. A female rat reaches her menopause after 18 months.

In the life cycle of a rat it produces around seven offspring at a time. Breeding during this period causes the size of her litters to be smaller than average. They can have twins which will take it to a maximum of 14. The litters are usually spaced at intervals of 60 to 65 days.

During the menopause process the reproduction cycle of a female rat becomes more irregular. However many rats die after the first year due to predation and interspecies conflict. Similarly the mating of roof rats with domestic rats causes unhealthy breeding and the babies are unlikely to survive. The life cycle of a rat.

The roof rat gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Unlike brown rats roof rats create their nests in high places like attics. From birth to adult rats take about three weeks to mature and begin fending for themselves. Peak breeding season for the roof rat typically occur in spring and fall.

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. Rats are social animals. The roof rat life cycle. Babies roof rats are born in litters of 4 8 pups which are small pink blind and confined to the nest.

Most species of rats live in nests comprised of an alpha male several females and the young rats. 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. When they are born rats have no fur and they are also blind.