How Large Are New York City Rats?
There are many different types of rats in New York City. The most common is the Norway rat, also known as a brown rat. These rats can grow to be as large as 2 feet long and weigh about 1 pound. They are often found underground or near food sources. These rats can survive for up to three days without food or water, but can also gnaw through pipes or cinder blocks.
The size of the New York City rat population may be a contributing factor to their growing size. The city offers an incredible variety of food, which attracts rats and other rodents. Unfortunately, the food is not only eaten, but it is also dumped out into garbage cans and dumpsters in city streets.
Fortunately, there are many steps people can take to combat the problem. One example is to educate residents about the dangers of rats. In New York, there are numerous resources that can teach people how to keep rats from invading their homes. One such resource is the 311 hotline, which tracks rodent complaints. The hotline has received 7,400 reports of rat sightings so far this year, a 60 percent increase from the same period last year.
One reason New York City rats are a threat to human health is because they carry pathogens. Some of these pathogens can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. They can also cause allergic reactions.