Roof Rat Life Cycle

Despite having some different habits the rat life cycle for both species is similar.

Roof rat life cycle.

The roof rat gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Roof rats often enter buildings at the roofline so be sure that all access points in the roof are sealed. Products for control of roof rats. A female roof rat lays 3 4 litters per year.

Life expectancy for rats is about two to three years. A female rat has a gestation period of three weeks and they can have five litters or so in a single year. When they are born rats have no fur and they are also blind. Babies roof rats are born in litters of 4 8 pups which are small pink blind and confined to the nest.

From birth to adult rats take about three weeks to mature and begin fending for themselves. 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. Breeding during this period causes the size of her litters to be smaller than average. 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. Rats are social animals. 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.

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. 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. 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. Roof rats are born in a nest in a litter of 6 8 young. 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. Peak breeding season for the roof rat typically occur in spring and fall.

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. Unlike brown rats roof rats create their nests in high places like attics. The 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 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. A female rat reaches her menopause after 18 months. The gestation period is about 25 days and litters normally range from 4 to 10 young and average about 6.