Can Rats Collapse Their Bones?

One common question is: “Can rats collapse their bones?” Well, yes, and no. A rat’s skeleton is not as rigid as a human’s, but it’s still an important part of its structure. It helps it fit into small spaces. Rats have collapsible ribs and can fit through cracks and openings of up to a quarter of an inch.

Rats’ skeleton is made up of two23 bones, but some people believe that they don’t have bones. However, rats would be unable to sustain their bodies without them. Their skeleton is extremely flexible, and the animal’s ability to squeeze through small openings is crucial for survival.

Rats’ forefeet bear 42% of their body weight when standing, but when dropped, they bear up to six times that amount of force. The result is a much greater impact than in humans. It also results in two to three times greater force on the forefeet than the hind paws. Moreover, the hind paws are 2.2 times bigger, distributing stress over a larger area.

Researchers have found that mechanical loading improves bone density and strength. This is true for both human and rat models. This mechanical loading enhances the density, geometry, and strength of long bone ends. It also improves the mechanical properties of bone shaft regions in the appendicular skeleton.