What rat species exist and how long do they live? - briefly
«Rattus norvegicus» (brown rat), «Rattus rattus» (black rat), «Rattus exulans» (Polynesian rat) and «Rattus lutreolus» (Australian swamp rat) are the most widespread rat taxa. In natural conditions they survive roughly 2–3 years, while individuals in captivity may reach 4–5 years.
What rat species exist and how long do they live? - in detail
Rats belong to the family Muridae, subfamily Murinae, and encompass a range of species with distinct ecological niches and life‑span patterns. The most widely recognized members include:
- Rattus norvegicus (brown or Norway rat): found worldwide in urban and rural settings; average lifespan in the wild 1–2 years, up to 3 years under optimal conditions; captivity may extend to 4 years.
- Rattus rattus (black rat): prevalent in tropical and temperate regions; typical wild longevity 1–2 years, occasional individuals reaching 3 years; laboratory care can produce 4–5 years.
- Rattus exulans (Pacific rat): native to islands of the Pacific; wild survival 1–2 years, limited data suggest occasional 3‑year individuals.
- Rattus argentiventer (silver‑backed rat): inhabits Southeast Asian forests; documented wild lifespan 1.5–2 years.
- Rattus tanezumi (Asian house rat): common in East Asian urban areas; average wild life expectancy 1–2 years.
- Rattus pyctoris (Sunda rat): distributed in Himalayan foothills; limited observations indicate 1–2 years in natural habitats.
Additional species, such as Rattus fuscipes, Rattus nitidus, and Rattus everetti, occupy specialized environments ranging from montane forests to island ecosystems; their reported longevity aligns with the general pattern of 1–2 years in the wild, with modest extensions under managed conditions.
Factors influencing longevity include predation pressure, disease burden, availability of food, and climatic stressors. Captive environments mitigate many of these risks, allowing rats to achieve the upper limits of their biological potential, typically 3–5 years depending on species and husbandry quality.