When Do Rats Mate?
WouterRats are a sexually active species and can successfully mate anywhere from six to fifteen times per year. This number will vary based on species. Females and males typically mate with several males. The number of successful matings depends on the length of the estrus cycle. A pair of rats can have as many as 60 or 100 acts in one night. While this may seem like a lot, it’s not unusual to see a pair of rats performing up to 60 acts during one night.
A female rat will enter a state of estrus every four or five days. During this time, she will swell up and appear larger than usual. Her body will become softer and darker, and she will also arch her back and vibrate her ears. She may even start running in short, fast bursts. When rats are in heat, they tend to appear hyperactive and wander around the enclosure. Estrus lasts from a few hours to a few days. However, there are many factors that can make this cycle irregular. Lack of darkness during the night and too much light during the day can cause a rat to come into heat more frequently. If your rat is in heat, you should take her to a dark area.
When rats mate, both the male and the female will vocalize. Male rats will emit a 50-kHz signal, which will trigger mating actions in the female. Female rats will move to the front of the cage and move in fast circles. Male rats will also respond to the female’s vocalizations. However, ultrasonic sounds are not thought to be of any benefit to rats because they are directional and therefore cannot be heard from behind. Furthermore, the sounds are fainter as they move farther away.
