Why Do Rats Bite Humans in Their Sleep?

Rats do not usually bite humans while they are sleeping. If they do, it is usually an unprovoked attack. The victims of such attacks are usually children, bedridden adults, or homeless people who spend the night in alleyways. The bites occur most frequently on the exposed parts of the body. Some species of rats have dangerous diseases in their saliva.

The number of bites from wild rats is hard to estimate, as they are often underreported. In the United States, only a small percentage of animal bites are reported to health authorities. In one study in Pennsylvania, only 41% of animal bites were reported to health authorities.

When rats are scared, they may show symptoms of panic or anxiety. They may start sniffing the air or stand on their hind legs while staring. They may even move their heads while staring. In any case, a rat will bite repeatedly if it feels threatened. A rat has limited options for escape.

Rat bites can be dangerous for humans and infants. However, it is rare for a rat to bite a sleeping human. Though they are less likely to bite a human while sleeping, it is still important to seek medical attention if you suspect that a rat bit you.