30-6 Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 My friend has had more rats on his farm this year than ever. None are being seen running around, but there are small, half grown, three quarter and fully grown being caught in fenn and snap traps, from multiple broods. I have had squirrels and rabbits eaten in the traps on previous occasions which we proved to be a cat, which seems to turn up from wherever when it feels like. But now prowls a cannibalistic rat. All rat traps are secured by chain and all in tunnels or covered so they are cat, dog, kid, sheep, cow and horse proof. These traps are checked regularly, but about 1 in 3 catches are eaten, with only skin and tail left. I baited a trap with a dead mouse wired to it, it caught a rat, but rat and mouse were both eaten. I have noticed some pretty large droppings, so is there a monster cannabilistic rat running around ? Will a rat tend to stick with flesh once it has a taste ? I might add, these rats are in congested out buildings, so do not offer shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 9 minutes ago, 30-6 said: have noticed some pretty large droppings, so is there a monster cannabilistic rat running around ? Will a rat tend to stick with flesh once it has a taste ? You would have to think that eating the dead rats would be an easy meal, lots of protein then off to bed? Not sure how legal they would be for rats but have you seen the buckets with the drop lids for mice? With a bigger bucket they could work well for the rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 Rats have always eaten other rats . Dead or alive .dead is easier I suppose . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 As above. If you stay stationary and and watch you will have a good chance of seeing another rat dragging off the one you have shot. It never ceases to amaze me at the speed one can drag off a bigger deceased rat, usually down a dark greasy hole! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 I've seen it a fair bit with the dead ones, in fact some of the wounded or kicking ones can get swamped by others. Also I have witnessed in my tunnel traps years ago was stoats and polecats taking the rats, basically chewing off what they could and taking the body away leaving heads, legs ect. It puzzled me for a long time as I knew a fox couldn't get at them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie B Posted May 25, 2021 Report Share Posted May 25, 2021 Yes, common enough. Even had live ones eaten out through the mesh of cage traps. Tends to happen more, where you have a large number of rats about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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