Would a Mother Rat Eat Their Babies?

People struggle with the idea that animals sometimes abandon or even eat their young. The notion is so foreign to people because they have more complex emotional responses and rationalization. Talk to any specialist on rat removal in Durham, and they will tell you that mothers might eat their young as a survival mechanism, protection, or emotional duress. 

1. Lack of Resources

Mother rats take on tremendous responsibility and risk when feeding their young. The animals will not always have an adequate food source nearby, or they may become ill.  When a mother rat is malnourished, it is not uncommon for them to eat their young to prevent suffering. Additionally, a mother rat might eat an ill or suffering baby out of kindness or to preserve the nutrients for the other babies.

2. Mutations or Deformities

When rat pups are born, the mother assesses each one. She cleans them and inspects them to ensure they are healthy. Pups born with deformities or mutations might be viewed as illnesses or weaknesses. The mother, wanting to ensure the strength of her pups, may eat the affected pups to ensure the others thrive. While this can sound cruel, it is a natural behaviour. The animals want to ensure the survival of the fittest. Eliminating potentially weak or ill offspring is part of preserving the strength of the colony.

3. Postpartum Depression

While mother rats may occasionally eat their young, it is not a common trait. Most researchers explain such behaviour as an interruption or disturbance of mothering behaviour. Postpartum depression is usually blamed for when a mother rat kills or consumes healthy offspring. PPD can occur immediately after giving birth or within several days, up to 14. The condition leads to a rapid drop in hormones and causes physical, behavioural, and emotional changes. Depending on the severity of the changes, a mother rat might kill her young.

Controlling Rat Populations Around Your Property

Too many rats in a single location can also result in the unnecessary sacrifice of pups. When a mother feels that food is scarce, she might think there is no sense in spending resources or energy on raising pups. Therefore, population control is crucial to rat survival. Additionally, controlling the number of rats around your home helps avoid problematic infestations. Controlling or working with rat populations is not about killing them. In fact, traps rarely work. Instead, you control the population by using professional services. These services bring in the appropriate tools and expertise to help navigate rats out and away from your house. Remember that wildlife thrives in the wild. The woods and grassy areas away from neighbourhoods provide plenty of space for critters to live and thrive, meaning fewer pups become victims to mother rats.

Rats in the House

Rats and mice typically congregate in the walls, ceilings, attics, and basements of houses. While you might not notice the animals initially, it is vital to understand the health and safety risks they pose.  Rats chew through wood, wires, and insulation. Continuous chewing can lead to fire hazards. Additionally, rats do not go outside to use the bathroom, so your walls or other areas of your home are their bathrooms. Between the poor sanitation habits and the fire hazards, rats should not be welcome in your home. Rats can also spread germs and bacteria that can infect people and pets. Do you believe you have rats in your house or on your property? If so, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and schedule a property assessment. The company will send a wildlife specialist to inspect your property and provide their findings along with potential service options.