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Wild Rats. In the wild, the life expectancy for a rat is much lower: 95 percent of wild rats die before they reach their first birthday. A 1-year-old rat would be around 30 years old in human terms. The most common cause of death in wild rats comes from predators, such as owls, hawks and foxes.
Average Lifespan. The average pet mouse lives between one and two years, according to the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association. This is one of the shortest lifespans of any pet rodent. For example, both pet rats and hamsters live two to three years. Pet mice are cousins of the wild mice you see in cities and the countryside. While both could technically live up to two years, many wild mice won't make it that long because of predators and other factors.