How many litters can a single pair of rats produce in a year?

A single pair of rats can produce between 4 to 7 litters in a year due to their high reproductive capacity. Rats have a relatively short gestation period of about 21 to 23 days, and after weaning, female rats can breed again quickly. Each litter typically contains an average of 6 to 12 young, which can further contribute to rapid population growth if not managed. This reproductive potential is one of the reasons why rats can become a significant pest issue in urban areas and why understanding their breeding habits is important for pest control measures in environmental health.