How far will rats typically travel for food?

Rats are opportunistic feeders and usually travel distances that allow them to maximize their foraging efforts while minimizing energy expenditure. Typically, rats will venture about 100 to 300 feet from their nest in search of food. This distance allows them to access a variety of food sources while still being close enough to retreat to safety if necessary.

Rats have a strong homing instinct, allowing them to navigate back to their nest after foraging. The range of 100 to 300 feet is significant enough to cover areas where food is commonly found in urban and suburban environments, such as garbage bins, gardens, and structures where food might be left exposed.

Distances greater than 300 feet, while possible under certain circumstances, are generally less common for regular foraging behavior among rats, as it increases the risk of encountering predators and losing energy. This is why the choice indicating a range of 100 to 300 feet is the most accurate representation of typical rat foraging behavior.