New York : rat invasion hampered by freezing temperatures
The recent freezing temperatures in New York have led to a decline in rat reproduction.
Despite ongoing efforts to curb the city’s growing rodent population, experts suggest that the extreme cold is not conducive to their breeding.
According to rat expert Kathleen Corradi, the cold weather is causing significant stress for the rodents. “It’s stressing out rats. It’s putting them in their burrows,” she explained.
Subzero temperatures have also kept residents indoors, resulting in fewer discarded food scraps for the rats to scavenge.
This combination of food scarcity and freezing conditions has disrupted the optimal environment for rats to reproduce.
Jason Munshi-South, an ecology professor at Drexel University, noted that the rat population could decrease further if they fail to find adequate food.
"Harsh winters like we are having so far will keep the rat population at a lower level if we have sustained cold, freezing periods," he told AP.
(QG - Source: Daily Star / AP / Picture: © Pixabay)