Rats are adaptable creatures, known for inhabiting diverse environments. They demonstrate a remarkable ability to modify their surroundings, often by digging underground. Understanding their burrowing behaviors provides insight into how they establish themselves in various locations.
Do Rats Dig?
Rats are accomplished diggers, with burrowing being a fundamental behavior for certain species. The Norway rat, also known as the brown rat or sewer rat, is particularly adept at creating underground tunnels. While some rat species prefer elevated nesting sites, the Norway rat primarily lives in burrows when outdoors.
They construct intricate subterranean networks that serve multiple purposes. These systems can become quite extensive as a rat family expands, showcasing their physical capabilities.
Why Rats Create Burrows
Rats create burrows for several reasons, primarily for protection from predators like cats and owls. Burrows offer a secure refuge from above-ground threats.
These underground dwellings also provide shelter from harsh weather, including extreme cold, heat, and rain. Within the burrow, rats find stable temperatures and a dry environment. Burrows also serve as safe nesting sites for raising young, offering a protected space for breeding. Female rats build these nests to ensure a warm environment for their litters.
Burrows function as secure places for food storage, allowing rats to cache provisions. They also establish escape routes within their burrow systems, enabling quick evasion when disturbed.
Anatomy of a Rat Burrow
A typical rat burrow features a main entrance hole, often smooth from frequent use, indicating regular passage. This primary opening for a Norway rat burrow usually measures between 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Around the entrance, freshly excavated dirt might be strewn in a fan shape.
Beyond the main entry, a complex network of tunnels extends underground. These tunnels can reach lengths of up to 3 feet and are typically located no deeper than 18 inches beneath the surface. The burrow system often includes one or two less obvious escape holes, which allow rats to quickly flee if danger approaches. Inside, specialized chambers are excavated for various functions, such as nesting, sleeping, and storing food. The internal walls of active burrows are smooth and the dirt is hard-packed.
Common Rat Burrow Locations
Rats commonly dig their burrows in locations that offer concealment, protection, and proximity to resources. They frequently establish burrows under the foundations of buildings, which provide structural stability and cover. Sheds, decks, and porches are also favored spots for burrow construction, as these structures offer undisturbed areas for nesting.
Burrows can often be found along fences and walls, where rats benefit from the cover provided by vertical surfaces. Compost piles are attractive due to warmth and food availability, leading to burrows being dug within or nearby. Dense vegetation, such as bushes, shrubs, and overgrown areas, offers excellent concealment for burrow entrances. Additionally, rats tend to burrow near water sources and in areas with soft, sandy soil.
Recognizing Rat Burrow Activity
Identifying rat burrow activity involves looking for several observable indicators. The most direct sign is the presence of visible holes in the ground, typically 2 to 4 inches in diameter, with smooth edges from repeated use. Freshly excavated dirt often forms a fan-shaped pile around the burrow entrance.
Disturbed soil near these openings can also suggest recent digging. Rats often create established “runways,” which are compacted paths or trails in the grass or dirt, leading to and from their burrows. These paths are kept clear of debris and vegetation due to frequent travel. Other signs include fecal droppings, which are typically shiny black and capsule-shaped with blunt ends, measuring between ¾ to 1 inch in length, found along runways or near burrow openings. Gnaw marks on nearby objects, like wood or plastic, can also indicate rat presence and activity around the burrow.