Rats Can Jump and Climb
Rats can jump and climb, but some species are better at this than others. Some species can run along wires, and others can climb trees. Brown rats can jump as far as 120 cm horizontally. They can also run a marathon through pipes. Some can even chew through fiberglass or low-grade concrete blocks.
The reason why rats are so adept at climbing is that they were designed to do so. They can scale walls and even trees, and they have a remarkably sharp claw. They can also hold onto surfaces, which makes climbing and jumping vertically a breeze. They can even hold their breath for up to 30 minutes. In fact, they can survive in low-oxygen environments, such as water.
In addition to climbing walls, rats can also climb objects, including cables and drain pipes. These abilities give them access to things in the home. They can get up to a foot high with minimal effort, and they can jump over four feet on a slight incline. Although mice are not as adept at climbing as rats, they can still use walls and other objects as platforms.
A bed is another area that rats can climb. Rats are incredibly agile and can reach the top of dressers and counters. Even pet rats can get up into beds. One pet rat owner once had an escape artist.