Why are there rats in our cities?

The brown rat is the most common rat found in cities today. It originated on the Asian steppes, and spread to Europe by around 1500, and to North America by the 1750s. It thrives in cities mainly because humans throw out a lot of waste food, and rats will eat almost anything! Fast breeders

Brown rats reach sexual maturity at 12 weeks and can have between 2 and 14 pups at a time, so populations can expand very fast. The more shelter and food in an area, the bigger their litters.

Week 0 = 9 rats Week 46 = 5,922 rats

Adaptable

Rats have adapted brilliantly to the city because they are clever, quick and agile. They are widest at the skull, so can slip into very narrow spaces, including the insides of sewage pipes. In Seattle, several have been found poking their noses out of toilet bowls!

Week 30 = 270 rats Week 52 = 11,907 rats

VISIONKHold the page opposite up to the light to see the rat’s skeleton.