Delta’s future looks ratty
Between climate changes, new home construction, old abandoned homes and more people and trash- the rats are getting the upper hand. Old houses or rundown, abandoned properties are popular rat reservoirs of rats. When those buildings are demolished, there’s a rat exodus. Then they’ll try to colonize other homes in the neighborhood. Plus, warmer climate means a longer breeding period — and therefore more rats. More people living in cities mean more trash and food waste. It’s like a buffet for the rodents. When temperatures drop, rats stop breeding and focus on surviving. Many don’t make it through the winter, which keeps the overall population in check. But are winters are not as cold as they use to be so spring rolls around and there are less rats killed by the cold and they’re going to reproduce even more. We’ve got Norway rats and Roof rats. These two species coexist here by divvying up habitat. The Norway rats stick to the ground burrows, tunnels, alleys and parking garages. The roof rats stick to the trees, vines and attics of the old single-family homes. So they’re just having more and more babies. A female rat can have up to 150 offspring each year. Gestation takes just 21 days and she can get pregnant a day after she gives birth.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deltas-future-looks-ratty-randy-bilesky?published=t
http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-delta-s-future-looks-ratty-1.2368684
