Where Do Rats Live?
WouterIn the city, rats often find a variety of places to live and breed. They prefer to live in places that are warm and provide easy access to food and materials for building nests. For this reason, they will make use of garbage bins, trash bags, and private yards. Other places that they can find shelter include walls, fences, and piles of wood.
These rodents are native to Asia and are a common pest in both urban and rural areas. They typically produce three or more litters a year, resulting in five to seven young. The lifespan of an adult rat is about one year. During her lifetime, a female brown or black rat can produce between 21 and 48 offspring. Scientists estimate that a single pair of male and female rats can produce more than one billion offspring.
Rats use their sense of smell to find food and to locate other rats. They also use their tails to communicate with other rats. They may disrupt their sleep cycle in order to search for food. To avoid being disturbed, they usually remain hidden during the day. They will not leave their nests during the night if they are in danger of being caught by a predator or an animal.
Rats like to live in places that are close to food sources. They may be found in trees, bushes, and walls. When winter arrives, they will dig against structures for warmth. During the winter, they may also dig against electrical units and air conditioning boxes. They do not live in burrows all year round, however; they spend most of their time searching for food and shelter.
