Can Rats Survive in the Cold?
WouterCold exposure can shorten a mouse’s life. This stress results in an increased energy expenditure, which can make it unable to survive for long. The effects of cold on mice are severe, including increased body temperature, sleep deprivation, and illness. One study found that animals exposed to extreme cold increased their food intake by 44% compared to control animals. It also found that the animals exposed to cold weather had lower body weights and decreased survival time compared to controls.
Rats can survive in cold temperatures if they find an appropriate shelter. However, rats cannot tolerate temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. After one hour, rats will start showing signs of distress, including heavy breathing, increased pulse rate, difficulty standing, shaky legs, and lethargy. In extreme cold conditions, the symptoms can even lead to convulsions and death. Therefore, it is important to keep rats in warm places during the winter.
Although rats are known to live in freezers, they can’t survive for long without frozen food. In a year, one rat can deposit up to 25,000 droppings. They also cannot survive without water, as they need one ounce of water every day to survive. This means that a rat living in freezing temperatures should be careful with its water consumption.
As winter approaches, rats tend to stockpile food and build burrows in which they can spend the winter months. These burrows can be as deep as three feet, and they can be found underneath slabs and in structures. In addition, the rats will dig through snow or open ground to find food.
