What do rats eat on a ship? - briefly
Rats on board feed on stored provisions—grain, dried meat, cheese, nuts—and any exposed food waste. They also scavenge scraps discarded in the galley and from shipboard refuse.
What do rats eat on a ship? - in detail
Rats aboard seagoing vessels rely on a varied diet that reflects the limited and opportunistic food supplies present on board. Their consumption can be divided into three primary categories: stored provisions, waste byproducts, and opportunistic foraging.
- Stored provisions – grain, flour, dried legumes, salted meat, cheese, and cured fish. These items are typically kept in the galley, pantry, or cargo holds, and rats access them through gaps in bulkheads, ventilation shafts, or compromised containers.
- Waste byproducts – kitchen scraps, discarded shells, spoiled produce, and residual oil. Waste is often deposited in galley bins, scullery chutes, or on deck after meals, providing a consistent source of protein and fat.
- Opportunistic foraging – insects attracted to food residues, moldy bread, and even the occasional rodent or bird carcass. Rats may also gnaw on rope, wood, or canvas when nutritional sources are scarce, extracting limited nutrients from organic fibers.
Seasonal and voyage‑specific factors influence the exact composition of the diet. During long transits, preserved foods dominate; on shorter trips with frequent port calls, fresh produce and meat increase availability. Inadequate sanitation and poor storage practices amplify the quantity and diversity of edible material, leading to higher rat populations and more extensive consumption.
Physiologically, rats possess a high metabolic rate that necessitates frequent intake. They can metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from the aforementioned sources, and they are capable of extracting moisture from dry provisions, reducing dependence on freshwater supplies. Their dentition allows them to gnaw through packaging, wood, and even thin metal, granting access to concealed stores that might otherwise remain untouched.
Effective control of rat feeding opportunities requires sealing bulkheads, maintaining rigorous waste disposal protocols, and rotating stored provisions to prevent spoilage. By eliminating the three identified food categories, the likelihood of infestation diminishes markedly.