How long do different rat species live? - briefly
Common laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) live about 2–3 years, wild Norway rats reach 1–2 years, roof rats (Rattus rattus) typically survive 1–2 years, and African giant pouched rats can live up to 5 years in captivity.
How long do different rat species live? - in detail
Rats exhibit a wide range of lifespans depending on species, environment, and care. In captivity, the average domestic rat (Rattus norvegicus, often kept as a pet) lives 2.5 to 3.5 years, with some individuals reaching 4 years under optimal husbandry. Laboratory strains of the same species show similar longevity, though controlled conditions can extend life to just over 4 years.
The black rat (Rattus rattus) typically survives 1 to 2 years in the wild, where predation, disease, and food scarcity limit longevity. Captive black rats may achieve 2.5 years with proper nutrition and veterinary oversight.
Roof rats (Rattus tanezumi), a close relative of the black rat, display wild lifespans of 1 to 2 years. In laboratory settings, they can reach 2.5 years, but data are limited.
The African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) lives longer than smaller murids. Wild individuals average 2 to 3 years; captive specimens regularly attain 5 to 7 years, with the longest recorded at 9 years.
The Asian house rat (Rattus exulans) has a wild lifespan of roughly 1 year. Captivity can increase survival to 2 years, though few are kept as pets.
Laboratory albino rats (Rattus norvegicus, strain Sprague‑Dawley or Wistar) exhibit median lifespans of 2.5 years, with maximums of 3.5 years under stringent health monitoring.
A concise comparative summary:
- Domestic/Brown rat (R. norvegicus): 2.5–3.5 years (captive), 1–2 years (wild)
- Black rat (R. rattus): 1–2 years (wild), up to 2.5 years (captive)
- Roof rat (R. tanezumi): 1–2 years (wild), up to 2.5 years (captive)
- African giant pouched rat (C. gambianus): 2–3 years (wild), 5–7 years (captive)
- Asian house rat (R. exulans): ~1 year (wild), up to 2 years (captive)
- Laboratory albino strains: 2.5–3.5 years (captive)
Factors influencing these figures include genetic background, diet quality, disease exposure, and environmental stressors. Consistent veterinary care, balanced nutrition, and enriched housing extend the upper limits of survival across all species.