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Many people consider rats to be practically omnivorous rodents, capable of eating almost everything: from food waste and regular human food to paper, furniture and even wires. However, the question arises whether rats eat other small rodents such as mice.
Rats, known for being fussy eaters, are capable of eating a wide variety of foods, including food scraps, human food, paper, wires and furniture. There is enough information about the behavior of domestic rats to consider them a threat to apartments and houses. However, there is conflicting information about whether they can eat other rodents, including mice.
Some people struggle with the problem of insects and rodents, but due to the incorrect selection of rodenticides and other products, myths about the invulnerability of rodents appear. When dealing with such problems, it is important to seek help from specialists who can offer optimal solutions, taking into account the degree of contamination of the territory and financial capabilities.
Rats in apartments always tend to settle in places with plenty of food and a comfortable temperature, so they can often be found in basements, sheds and other secluded places. When dealing with such rodents, it is important to determine the source of the problem and take effective measures to get rid of them.
Will a rat hunt a mouse?
First, you should consider the issue of rat nutrition. They are known for their omnivorous and predatory lifestyle. These rodents happily consume plant foods and waste, and can also live near garbage containers and feed on wires. Their need for protein suggests the possibility of eating meat.
It is clear that rats are capable of eating meat. As a result of the need to search for food, they can even attack mice. As excellent predators, rats can dive and hunt a variety of mollusks and amphibians. In urban environments and private homes, only mice and birds are often found, which makes small rodents attractive prey for rats; their main goal is to quickly find food for survival and reproduction.
These dangerous predators don't care who they eat. It is only important for them to provide themselves with a source of energy to continue life and reproduce. Catching a domestic rat can be difficult, as they are cunning and agile. A pack of these rodents will fiercely defend their territory and even show aggression towards humans.
So, rats, as carnivores, can eat meat, including mice, fish, shellfish and even amphibians. In urban environments, they can even attack birds, since the main thing for them is to provide themselves with food for survival.
Why can a rat attack a mouse and eat it?
Distinguishing one species from another is very easy, with size being a key factor in this distinction. Large predators sometimes reach a length of 30 cm, while the size of mice rarely exceeds 10 cm. It is because of this that smaller relatives try to avoid contact with larger rodents. There are no non-public conflicts between them, and rats usually do not attack without obvious reasons. Among the main factors causing aggression are:
1. Hunger;
2. Protection;
3. The emergence of competition;
4. Active reproduction of the population and struggle for territory.
Hunger drives wild rats to do desperate things, including cannibalism, that is, eating their own relatives. In critical situations, pests even eat mice, since a dead rodent automatically becomes a potential food source. Even if the rat is not hungry, it may take the prey with it for future use.
Rats are aware of their superiority over mice, and therefore small representatives of the species that accidentally end up in rat territory are often attacked and eaten. This is an example of competition, and mice that decide to visit a rat colony to steal food are usually doomed to die.
Sometimes among small rodents there are bold individuals that can attack larger predators. Rats, being dangerous predators, are not averse to grabbing such daredevils and satisfying their needs for animal protein.
Rats are especially aggressive when exploring new territories, especially if they reproduce quickly and fight for space to live. These rodents, unwilling to leave, will prefer to fight and will likely be sacrificed. As a result, taking into account the above factors, we can conclude that rats can exhibit hostility and aggression. According to the laws of nature, the strongest survive, and in this case, larger individuals cope with this task more successfully.
Who else are rats dangerous for?
The best approach is to start fighting rats as soon as you notice them in your apartment or private home. These rodents have outstanding intelligence and lead a herd existence with a complex hierarchy. They will actively defend their territory, and you should not wait until they occupy the entire living area. Select several rodenticides and distribute them evenly in problem areas.
Soon after applying rodenticides, you will not find even the slightest trace of rats.
Not only mice are at risk, but also pets living in a private home. Cases of rats stealing small rabbits and chickens are not uncommon.
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