A mature female Norway Rat can give birth to about how many young per year?

A mature female Norway Rat can give birth to about how many young per year?

• A. 10
• B. 20
• C. 40
• D. 60

Answer: (B)

Reproductive potential of a mature female Norway rat is high; she can breed year-round in favorable conditions, producing several litters in a year. A litter typically contains multiple pups, commonly around six to ten. With a few litters annually, the total offspring is about twenty young per year. This estimate reflects how quickly populations can grow if not controlled and sits between the lower and higher ends of typical ranges. Choices suggesting only ten would understate annual output, while much higher numbers would imply more litters or unusually large litters than is usual in most conditions.

Reproductive potential of a mature female Norway rat is high; she can breed year-round in favorable conditions, producing several litters in a year. A litter typically contains multiple pups, commonly around six to ten. With a few litters annually, the total offspring is about twenty young per year. This estimate reflects how quickly populations can grow if not controlled and sits between the lower and higher ends of typical ranges. Choices suggesting only ten would understate annual output, while much higher numbers would imply more litters or unusually large litters than is usual in most conditions.