How Many Rats Are in the World?
WouterRats are omnivorous and stick together in packs. If a male and female are separated from their pack, a new one is formed. The larger male leads the pack. However, other species may have several dominant males or females. They are nocturnal and leave their nests at dusk. Their main food source is humans, but they will also scavenge for food that is not protected.
The numbers vary from country to country, but the general estimate is between seven and eight billion rats in the world. Rats mature sexually between four and five weeks of age and give birth in approximately 21 to 23 days. A female rat can produce six to eight pups during her lifetime. This means a single female rat can give birth to over 50 rats a year. The mortality rate of rats is very low, and they live in groups to protect their young.
Rats are abundant in urban areas due to their large population. They can cause an estimated $19 billion in economic damage. The UK alone has an estimated seven million rats. Moreover, rats are a nuisance and can spread diseases. Some areas have intentionally destroyed rats, such as the Aleutian Island. This was done because the island was overpopulated with rats, and rats were being used for experiments in laboratories.
The rat population in cities is a growing problem. Its feces are a hazard to the health of people in the city. They can damage buildings, leave behind discarded food and even transmit disease to the population. Cities and municipalities are taking steps to combat the problem, and the authorities have imposed several rules. One of them is geo-tagging, which is a system for identifying rat nests in buildings.
