Can Rats Climb Trees?

Some people love them and some people hate them, but regardless of your feelings toward them, rats are undoubtedly fascinating creatures. They are extremely agile and athletic animals and are known for their ability to get into places that they shouldn’t through a combination of jumping, climbing, and scurrying. But can rats climb trees? In this article we’ll explore how rats climb and which surfaces they can and can’t clamber up — including whether this includes trees!

All About Rats

Rats are medium-sized rodents that are easily distinguished from mice by their larger size. There are approximately 60 different species of rats, and only rats in the genus Rattus are classed as true rats. However, there are several other mammals that are given the common name “rat” but are not actually rats. These include bandicoot rats, kangaroo rats, and pack rats.

Rats inhabit most areas of the world, with the exception of Antarctica. They live in virtually any habitat so long as they can find food and shelter. They frequently live in urban areas and can inhabit places such as sewers and sheds, earning them a reputation as being a pest.

However, rats are actually very intelligent and are highly social animals. They live in family groups which are called “mischiefs” and typically consist of between five and 10 animals. These groups follow a strict hierarchy which is determined by age and size. There is typically only one dominant male of breeding age in the group, along with several females and their offspring. Females give birth to litters of five to 12 pups following a gestation period of 21 to 23 days. However, they can have up to five litters per year! The babies reach full maturity at around nine weeks old and will begin to search for their own mate and a new family group.

Are Rats Able to Climb Trees?

Yes, rats can climb trees! In fact, rats can climb any surface so long as it has a texture that provides them with enough grip.

Rats are excellent climbers and have impeccable balance. They’re very good at jumping too and will often climb trees and jump from branch to branch so that they can access a roof, wall, fence, or any other place that they want to explore. Most rats are able to jump around three feet between branches or gaps. They also climb trees to escape from predators and to move around safely.

Rats will build their nests anywhere that they feel as though they are safe and secure. Some species of rats even build their nests in trees! When they build a nest in a tree it tends to look quite similar to a bird’s nest. It is made from woven twigs and leaves and is located in the thickest part of the tree where there is plenty of leaf coverage to keep it hidden from view.

Finally, rats also climb trees in search of food. They are omnivores and have a wide and varied diet. As well as eating whatever they can scavenge, rats will also eat a range of fruit, nuts, seeds, and berries. They even eat small birds and eggs so they will climb trees to raid nests.

How Do Rats Climb?

Rats are able to climb easily because of the way that their feet and tails are designed. They have four toes on their front paws and five on their hind paws. They also have extremely sharp, non-retractable claws. Although they don’t have opposable thumbs, rats are still able to use their toes and claws to grip surfaces so that they can climb. This is aided by their paw pads which have a rough texture and aid their grip by increasing friction.

Rats also use their tails to help them balance, which is another reason that they are such good climbers. Although their tail length varies between species, on average it is around the same length as their body. Rats use their tail to help balance their bodies, but they can also wrap their tail around branches or wires to prevent themselves from falling.

What Surfaces Can Rats Climb?

As we mentioned earlier, rats can climb any surface which provides them with enough grip to clamber up it — even vertical ones. However, this means that the surface must have some imperfections in it and not be completely smooth. This allows the rat to get enough grip with their toes and paw pads to climb up it. As well as trees, rats can climb surfaces such as brick, fences, concrete, and drywall.

Surfaces Rats Cannot Climb

Just like we’ve explained the surfaces that rats can climb and why they can climb them, the opposite is also true. Rats cannot climb surfaces that are smooth and do not provide them with sufficient grip. This means that they cannot climb up surfaces such as glass, smooth plastic, smooth metal, and smooth or polished wood.

How to Rat-Proof Your Home

Ultimately, rats will be looking for two things — food and shelter. If you’re worried about rats getting into your home or shed then there are a few things that you can do. The first is to make sure that there are no gaps or weak spots where a rat may be able to enter. If there is then you’ll need to securely seal them as rats can be incredibly agile and persistent when they figure out a way in. You’ll also need to regularly check the perimeter though to ensure that no new gaps appear. You can also prevent rats from entering your home by using a deterrent such as a specific chemical spray to ward them off. Or, you could go down the natural route. This involves using a strong smell that rats don’t like — such as peppermint oil or citronella.

However, if you have persistent rats or an existing infestation then you may need to take more drastic measures. This means either poisoning them or humanely trapping them. If you’re not confident doing this alone then it may be time to call a professional in.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Maryia Karneyenka/Shutterstock.com