When do rats hide in burrows? - briefly
Rats retreat to underground tunnels mainly during daylight to evade predators and reduce exposure to extreme temperatures. They also seek burrow refuge when ambient conditions become too hot or cold for comfortable thermoregulation.
When do rats hide in burrows? - in detail
Rats employ underground tunnels primarily as a refuge from external stressors.
During daylight hours, individuals retreat to burrows to avoid visual predators and to maintain a stable microclimate. Nocturnal activity commences after dusk, when foraging outside the shelter becomes advantageous.
Seasonal temperature fluctuations dictate burrow usage. In winter, tunnels provide insulation against subzero conditions, reducing metabolic demand. Summer heat drives rats to deeper chambers where soil moisture moderates temperature spikes.
Breeding periods increase reliance on subterranean sites. Pregnant females and litters remain within the nest chamber for the duration of gestation and early post‑natal development, limiting exposure to threats.
Predator pressure prompts immediate withdrawal into the burrow system. Presence of avian hunters, snakes, or mammalian carnivores triggers rapid descent into the deepest available tunnel.
Resource scarcity influences sheltering behavior. Drought or food shortage leads rats to conserve energy by limiting external movement and remaining within the burrow until conditions improve.
Species differences affect burrow depth and complexity.
- Rattus norvegicus: constructs extensive, multi‑level networks reaching depths of 1–2 m, utilized year‑round.
- Rattus rattus: prefers shallow cavities, often exploiting existing crevices and using them chiefly for night‑time refuge.
Environmental disturbances such as flooding or human construction force relocation to alternative underground sites, with rats selecting the nearest viable tunnel network that offers adequate ventilation and protection.
Overall, subterranean shelter is employed whenever external conditions threaten thermoregulation, safety, reproductive success, or energy balance.