Rattus Hygienus

Creatures are scurrying throughout Central, but I'm not talking about bankers.

It took just six months for Central to go from being free of rodents to one of Hong Kong's worst-infested areas. Hong Kong's common rodent species are Rattus norvegicus (sewer rat; also known as Norway rat); and Rattus rattus (house rat; also known as roof rat). The city has mice as well.

The FEHD compiled a list of behaviours which shows why all-out extermination is difficult:

· social animal
· nocturnal
· good climber, especially for Rattus rattus.
· good jumper
· range of movement: 30-50m for rats, 5-10 m for mice
· good swimmer
· can dive
· rat takes 15-30 gm food and consumes about 30 gm water daily,
· mouse takes only 3 gm of food and small amount of water everyday.
· 5-8 litters per year, 5-14 per litter
· average life span is 1 year

Looking at the reproduction rate, a healthy female rat can create anywhere from 25 to 112 offspring per year.

No wonder it only took six months to become beset by beady-eyed blight-bearers.

Don't worry, your chances of seeing a rat in broad daylight is about the same as seeing an FEHD officer issuing a ticket for improper refuse disposal.

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