Rats Are Good Climbers
WouterRats are natural climbers. They use their paws and tail to balance themselves and can even climb drain pipes. They are also great swimmers. This ability allows rats to climb a variety of surfaces, including buildings. Rats also have great agility and can scurry diagonally across surfaces. The main reason that rats climb is to find food and shelter. Their paw pads are very textured and provide a secure grip on surfaces.
In order to get to higher places, rats can leap up to fifty feet. Their claws are like handholds and allow them to grasp onto surfaces that are otherwise impossible to scale. They can also climb furniture, tables, and even some countertops. Rats climb primarily for survival, but they also have fun and appear to enjoy the activity. In the wild, rats will use their climbing skills to reach food and access predators.
Because they have claws on their paws and small dermal ridges on their tails, rats can climb. This allows them to hold onto a variety of surfaces without much difficulty. Their tails are also great for balance, as they can wrap around a wire, a cord, or a rope.
While rats are natural climbers, their behavior varies between species. Some are very active, while others are more timid. Despite their different behaviors, ship rats are much faster than Norway rats when it comes to heights. In one study, rats were able to scale a 1.5-m stand without nails faster than Norway rats.
