What can rats carry? - briefly
Rats can transport pathogens, parasites, and food residues, serving as vectors for diseases such as leptospirosis and hantavirus. They also move small items—seeds, litter, or contraband—typically weighing up to a few hundred grams.
What can rats carry? - in detail
Rats are capable of transporting a wide variety of objects, both in natural environments and urban settings. Their strong forelimbs, flexible bodies, and keen sense of smell enable them to move items that range from food to disease agents.
Food items are the most common cargo. Rats routinely collect grains, seeds, nuts, fruit, and human waste. They can hoard several kilograms of these materials in concealed nests, often moving them over distances of up to 100 meters.
Materials useful for nest construction are also carried. This includes shredded paper, fabric fragments, insulation, and plastic. Such debris is gathered and packed into burrows or wall voids, providing structural support and insulation.
Contaminants and pathogens are unintentionally conveyed. Rats transport bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, Leptospira), viruses (e.g., hantavirus), and parasites (e.g., fleas, ticks) on their fur, paws, and in their gastrointestinal tracts. These agents can be deposited on surfaces, food supplies, and water sources, facilitating disease spread.
Small objects of human origin are moved as well. Rats have been observed carrying jewelry, electronic components, batteries, and even keys. Their dexterity allows them to grip items smaller than their head and drag them to hidden locations.
In laboratory settings, rats are employed as carriers for experimental substances. They can be trained to transport small capsules containing chemicals, delivering them to predetermined points for research purposes.
Overall, rats’ ability to move diverse items—nutritional, structural, contaminant, and anthropogenic—makes them significant vectors in ecosystems and human habitats.