Why Do Rats Bite?

If you have ever wondered why do rats bite, the answer is simple: they do it as a form of self-defence. Although rats are not normally aggressive toward humans, they will bite as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened. Rats are known to bite elderly people, babies, and immobilized people, so their behavior is most likely based on fear.

Despite this widespread perception, some researchers question the validity of these stories. Most postulate that rats do not attack people when they are sleeping, and many propose that these accounts are fictional. Others question whether displaced rodents survive when they are reintroduced into their natural habitat. But this theory has no solid evidence to support it.

People with weakened immune systems are especially at risk for rat bites. These include those with HIV, diabetes, and liver disease. Pregnant women and older adults are also at higher risk. Young children, especially under five, also have a lower immune system and are more susceptible to infection. Luckily, there are simple ways to prevent rat bites.

In addition to chewing wires, rats chew many other things, including wooden sticks and cardboard. Wires, especially those located in areas where rodents hide, are especially attractive to rats.