Can rats climb?

Rats can climb a wide variety of surfaces and objects. They often climb rough wall surfaces, such as brick, wood siding and stucco. Rats also climb trees, pipes and telephone poles if the surface provides adequate footing.

There are two common species of rat: the Norway rat and the roof rat. The roof rat is the most common type of rat, and is very agile. Rats have claws that allow them to grip onto some surfaces that other animals could not climb. Rats can climb inside of walls by bracing their backs against another surface, such as a pipe or wiring.