Where are rats born? - briefly
Rats deliver their litters in nests they build within burrows, cavities, or concealed spaces such as walls and attics. The newborn pups are altricial, requiring maternal warmth and nursing for several weeks.
Where are rats born? - in detail
Rats give birth in environments that provide shelter, warmth, and access to food. Female rats (the dams) construct nests using soft materials such as shredded paper, cloth, or plant matter. These nests are placed in locations that protect the offspring from predators and extreme temperatures.
Typical birthing sites include:
- Underground burrows dug in soil, grasslands, or agricultural fields.
- Cavities within building structures: wall voids, attics, ceilings, and floor joists.
- Sewer systems and drainage pipes where moisture and darkness are constant.
- Piles of debris, compost heaps, and garbage containers that offer insulation and concealment.
- Natural shelters such as rock crevices, fallen logs, and dense vegetation.
Reproductive specifics: gestation lasts 21–23 days; a single litter contains 5–12 pups. After birth, the mother nurses the young exclusively for the first three weeks, during which the nest remains undisturbed. Once the pups are weaned, they disperse to establish their own territories, often selecting similar protected sites for future reproduction.