How Old Do Rats Get?
WouterThe age of a rat can be very hard to determine. Rats usually have a certain amount of life in them, and you should always take your pet to the vet if you notice a drastic decrease in its energy levels. Rats can vary significantly in size, health, and behavior, and your rat’s genetic background could make a huge difference. If your rat suddenly seems to have a lack of energy or a dull coat, you may have a sick rat.
Rats will usually stay with their mothers until they reach around six weeks of age. At this age, they will no longer act like babies, and will develop their own personalities. This phase will last around six weeks, and will be followed by a weaning phase of about five weeks. At this point, the average rat will begin to eat from a dish on its own.
Rats reach sexual maturity between six and ten weeks of age. It is best to separate males and females when they reach puberty, as they can be easily bred. During this period, female rats go into heat for 24 hours every four or five days. During this time, they can be restless and agitated. Male rats get along with other male rats, but should not be kept alone.
Researchers who study the aging process with rats often face the age question. While there are few studies that have tried to answer this question directly, many studies have tried to determine age correlations between rats and humans. In the current review, researchers examined rat age at different stages of its lifespan. Rats grow rapidly during their early years, reaching sexual maturity at six weeks and social maturity at around five to six months of age.
