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We are Oklahoma City Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Oklahoma critter problems. We service the greater Oklahoma City region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at (405) 293-4060 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Logan County, Cleveland County, Lincoln County, Canadian County, Pottawatomie County, Kingfisher County, and more. We also service Bethany, Nichols Hills, Choctaw, Nicoma Park, Del City, Edmond, Spencer, Harrah, The Village, Midwest City, Warr Acres, Arcadia, Luther, Forest Park, Smith Village, Jones, Valley Brook, Lake Aluma, Woodlawn Park, Newalla, and more.

Oklahoma City Wildlife Education: Do Rats Have Bones? How Can They Fit In Such Small Holes?

It is a relatively common urban myth that rats don’t have bones, that instead, they have cartilage. But this is not true. It is also untrue that their skeletons are collapsible. Rats have a bone skeleton with cartilage and joints just as humans and other mammals do. It is true that they can fit through some very small openings. Appropriately enough, a bunch of rats together is called a mischief of rats. It’s a well-earned name!



Bones
Rats have a solid skeletal bone structure with spine and ribs. The reason that they can fit into very small places is because of their body shape—long, cylindrical, and flexible.

Accessibility
Rats don’t need a very large opening to be able to squeeze through it and get where they want to go. Small or juvenile rats can get through a hole the size of a quarter, which is just under an inch in diameter. Larger rats need a little more space than that. If you want to keep these unwanted houseguests out, you must seal up every entry point you can find. Using ½” by ½’ wire mesh to cover holes is adequate. One place you can’t use the wire, though, is in your sewer drainpipe.

Swimmers
Rats are good swimmers that can hold their breath for three minutes. They have been known to get into sewer pipes and swim up through a toilet to emerge in a home bathroom. In large cities where the storm drains and the sewer drains are combined, rats are adept at living in these underground tunnel systems.

How Rats Judge Opening Size
Rats judge whether or not an opening is large enough for them to get through by sticking their nose into the hole. They use their whiskers as a sensor to determine the hole size. If the whiskers fit, the rat fits. Once in a while a rat will misjudge and get stuck, possibly because it is being chased and is in too big of a hurry to test the hole size. This doesn’t happen often, but it has been observed.

Climbers
Rats can climb trees or up downspouts, and gain access to your attic or upper story rooms. So when you are rat-proofing your house, be sure to take care of the upper portion of the house, too. You can place wire mesh on the inside of attic vent covers and other openings that might be up there.

Previous Education Articles
Methods to trap Oklahoma City flying squirrels
Are Oklahoma City coyotes dangerous to cats, dogs, or other pets?
Where should I relocate a trapped wild Oklahoma City animal?
Will a high pitch sound deterrent machine work against Oklahoma City groundhogs?