How do rats steal goose eggs? - briefly
Rats detect nests by scent, enter the enclosure under cover of darkness, crack the shells with their incisors, and transport the contents. They exploit gaps in fencing or weakened coop structures to reach the eggs.
How do rats steal goose eggs? - in detail
Rats exploit the same nocturnal habits that make geese vulnerable. They locate nests by scent, hearing, and visual cues, often drawn to the warm, humid micro‑environment surrounding eggs. Once a nest is identified, a rat will assess the number of eggs and the presence of the brooding goose. If the adult bird is absent or distracted, the rat proceeds with the theft.
The typical sequence includes:
- Approach – The rodent moves silently along the ground or climbs low vegetation, keeping a low profile to avoid detection.
- Entry – Using its sharp claws, it nudges aside nesting material or pushes through loose twigs to gain access to the interior.
- Extraction – The rat grasps an egg with its forepaws, balances it against its body, and uses its incisors to break the shell if necessary, consuming the contents on the spot or transporting the whole egg to a hidden cache.
- Retreat – After the egg is removed, the rat quickly retreats along a pre‑selected escape route, often back to a burrow or concealed area where it can eat the egg safely.
Key factors that increase success rates are:
- Time of day – Late evening and early morning, when geese are less active.
- Weather conditions – Overcast or rainy periods reduce visibility for the adult goose.
- Nest density – Colonies with many nests provide multiple targets, allowing rats to switch nests if one is guarded.
Rats also display opportunistic behavior. If a goose is present but preoccupied with feeding or defending another part of the nest, a rat may seize an unattended egg. In some cases, multiple rats cooperate, with one distracting the adult while another extracts the egg.
The aftermath for the goose includes reduced clutch size, lower hatchability, and potential abandonment of the nest if predation pressure is perceived as high. Consequently, rat infestations can significantly impact goose reproductive success.