What is typically found in larger litters of rats in messy urban areas?

In messy urban areas, rats tend to thrive due to the availability of resources such as food, shelter, and potential breeding spaces. Consequently, these favorable conditions can lead to larger litters. It is common for species such as the Norway rat to produce larger litters, reaching up to 12 pups per pregnancy, especially in environments where food is abundant and competition is relatively low. The ability to have such large litters allows rats to quickly reproduce and establish populations, which is especially advantageous in urban settings where survival pressure might be less due to human activity and waste. This reproductive strategy contributes to the rapid population growth often observed in urban infestations, emphasizing the importance of effective vector control measures in these areas.