How long do Dambo rats live? - briefly
The average lifespan of a Dambo rat is two to three years, with well‑cared individuals sometimes living up to four years. Longevity depends on genetics, diet, and overall living conditions.
How long do Dambo rats live? - in detail
Dambo rats (Cricetulus dambo) typically reach adulthood within three months and can survive up to 2.5 years under optimal conditions. In laboratory settings, the median lifespan ranges from 18 to 24 months, while the longest documented case exceeds 30 months.
Key elements that affect longevity include:
- Genetic background: selective breeding for health traits extends average age.
- Nutrition: balanced diets rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins reduce metabolic stress.
- Housing: temperature stability (20‑24 °C), low humidity, and spacious cages prevent respiratory and stress‑related illnesses.
- Veterinary care: routine health checks, parasite control, and prompt treatment of infections improve survival rates.
Maximum recorded ages differ between environments. In captivity, individuals have lived 32–34 months, whereas wild specimens rarely exceed 15 months due to predation, disease, and limited food availability.
To maximize lifespan, provide a high‑quality pellet diet supplemented with fresh greens, maintain clean bedding, ensure regular physical enrichment, and schedule periodic veterinary examinations. These practices consistently raise average longevity toward the upper limits of the species’ potential.