Why is a rat driven into a corner? - briefly
When all exits are obstructed and a threat is present, a rat retreats to the most confined space available, perceiving it as the only viable refuge. This cornering concentrates its defensive actions and reduces exposure to danger.
Why is a rat driven into a corner? - in detail
Rats become confined to limited spaces when external pressures eliminate their usual routes of escape. Predators, such as cats or snakes, create a direct threat that forces the animal to retreat toward the nearest barrier. When all alternative pathways are blocked by obstacles—walls, furniture, or traps—the only remaining option is a corner.
Several factors contribute to this situation:
- Loss of hiding places: Removal of burrows, crevices, or clutter reduces available shelters, channeling movement toward the periphery.
- Direct pursuit: A predator’s chase narrows the rat’s field of view, prompting rapid, linear motion that ends at the nearest boundary.
- Environmental constraints: Narrow passages, closed doors, and sealed openings restrict movement, funneling the creature into a confined area.
- Stress response: Elevated cortisol levels trigger a “freeze” behavior; the animal seeks a location where it can monitor the threat while limiting exposure.
The combination of threat detection, diminished escape routes, and physiological stress culminates in the animal’s forced positioning against a wall and into a corner. This behavior maximizes the chance of monitoring the predator while minimizing the area that must be defended.