What are the characteristics of rats/mice?
The rat genus (Rattus) is home to between 56 and 65 spices worldwide. The two species with the greatest global distribution the Rattus norvegicus, better known by other names, such as, for example, the sewer rat, the brown rat or even called the Norwegian rat. And the Rattus rattus, colloquially known as, the roof rat and the country rat. Both species are very common to find in private homes.
Mice, belonging to another animal genus of rats, is scientifically called Mus Musculus. In the eyes of any human being, the size of the two animals is the great difference, although, beyond a simple observation, most mice are herbivorous, whereas rats are omnivorous.
They have spread almost all over the planet, discarding or without scientific knowledge to prove it, at the poles there is no knowledge of the existence of rats. One reason why we find them almost all over the planet is because of the movement by boat during times of colonization of new territories. The rats, they infiltrated the goods, and when they realized they were in another geographical area and created their colonization there.
For rats, the tail is an indispensable tool, as it is their balance bar, controlling their jumps, walking on non-flat surfaces such as tubes, cables, ropes or even swimming. The Rattus norvegicus are exceptional swimmers, and joining it together they are omnivorous, that means that they eat everything, catch small fish, crabs, snails, aquatic insects, and even the smallest rats can be eaten by their own parents.
With the aforementioned, the agility they have stands out, even reaching the point of being able to climb a completely smooth wall. In addition to satisfying a very flexible skeleton, containing great guidance in the dark and great adaptability, it becomes difficult to hunt them when we detect them.
What is the smallest species of rat in the world? And the biggest one?
As a curious fact and related to the species, we find the smallest rat in the world, the Rattus osgoodi, endemic to southern Vietnam with a length of between 12 and 17 centimeters. On the other hand, and in contrast, we find the largest rat, the Ratuus xanthurus, measures from 19 to 27 centimeters, with a tail of up to 34 centimeters in length.
How long does a rat live? And a mouse?
The longevity of a rat is greater than the longevity of a mouse, so that a rat can live about 3 years, whereas a mouse about 2 years.
How long does your gestation last?
The reproductive period of rats, with only one month of gestation, may be 5 to 22 individuals born, becoming a pest within a few months. In contrast for a mouse, the gestation period is shorter, between 19 and 21 days, with a litter of between 8 and 12 offspring, becoming a pest and causing it to be more difficult to control than rats, due to its large and fast reproduction.
It is essential to contact specialist companies, pest control companies or at least to ask for advice, because they can transmit diseases because of their great adaptation in different territories, they can become transmitters, many of the diseases can become quite serious.
Do you need more advice? Can we help you with something? Pest Control in Mallorca
If so, do not hesitate to contact us, we are at your disposal and we are in Mallorca. You can contact us via 971 144 500 or via info@dmaplagas.es
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