How Do Rats Get Through Small Holes?

Rats have an impressive ability to squeeze through small holes. Unlike most mammals, rats do not have a collar bone, which means they are flexible enough to fit through narrow spaces. Their long cylindrical bodies also help them to bend and stretch in order to fit through tight spaces. This flexibility allows them to squeeze through a variety of small holes.

Rats have a cylindrical body which adds flexibility and length. These two qualities make them perfect for getting through small holes. In addition, their ability to burrow naturally makes them able to fit through gaps. For example, they can squeeze through small gaps next to pipework, or even where the chimney connects the rest of the home.

Rats can squeeze through holes that are only 0.705 inches wide. They have been known to squeeze through holes as small as a dime. However, they have to first test the size of a hole before passing through it. Rats can judge the size of a crack by using their whiskers to detect if it is too narrow.

While rats have a flexible body and are able to squeeze through small holes, they are not able to squeeze through a collapsible skeleton like humans do. This means that they will have to look for alternate ways to get into a place.