How many litters can a female rat have in a year?

The reproductive habits of female rats can vary, but they are known for their high fecundity. Typically, a female rat can have multiple litters throughout the year due to their short gestation period, which is usually around 21 to 23 days.

The correct answer states that a female rat can have between four to seven litters in a year, which aligns with scientific observations on their reproductive cycles. Given this range, it reflects the capacity for rapid population growth under ideal conditions, which is characteristic of rats.

The other options either overestimate or underestimate the typical number of litters a female rat can produce annually. For example, while two to five litters may be plausible, it falls short of the higher fertility rates observed in some conditions. Likewise, stating that a female rat can have five to eight litters may suggest an unrealistic reproductive capacity, as it exceeds the commonly accepted range based on biological studies. Thus, the answer that indicates four to seven litters is the most accurate representation of a female rat's reproductive potential in a year.