bbc.com
Rising Rodent Numbers: Climate Change and Human Impact
A surge in rodent populations is linked to climate change and human activity, threatening food security and spreading disease. Solutions include promoting natural predators and environmentally friendly pest control.
Arabic
United Kingdom
HealthClimate ChangePopulation GrowthPest ControlRodentsEcosystem Balance
Bbc News عربيNature Ecology & EvolutionRaptors Are The Solutionجمعية حماية الطيور في لبنانالجمعية البيئية تنّور ونور
محمد همدرشادي عنداريرامي خشّابميشال صوّانمارك برونينغ
- How do rats and mice reproduce?
- Female rats can have 6-12 pups 6 times a year, while female mice can have 10-12 pups up to 15 times a year. Their short lifespans and rapid reproductive cycles contribute to their ability to quickly increase in number.
- How will the increase in rodent numbers affect our lives?
- Increased rodent populations threaten food security by damaging crops and spreading disease. While they are less of a food threat in cities, their presence increases the risk of disease transmission.
- How have humans tried to control rodent populations throughout history?
- Humans have used various methods, including pesticides, cats, and dogs, to control rodent populations for centuries. A more recent approach focuses on protecting and encouraging natural predators like birds of prey and snakes to control rodent populations naturally.
- How is climate change related to the increase in the number of rodents?
- Rodents thrive in warm weather and hibernate during cold spells. Climate change's warmer temperatures extend breeding seasons, leading to larger populations. Studies in various countries have linked this warmer weather to increases in rodent numbers.
- What are the main reasons for the significant increase in the number of rodents?
- Climate change, with its longer warmer seasons, is a major factor in the increased rodent population. Rodents also reproduce rapidly, and human activities like urbanization and agriculture have reduced their natural predators.