Location
The climbing rat is found along the coast and offshore islands from northern New South Wales to the tip of Cape York. The climbing rat is a grassland animal which is common in non-crop harbourage areas which are full of grasses and weeds. Big numbers occur where harbourage areas are neat water courses or drainage lines.

Damage
Climbing rats can damage cane below and above ground. Cane damage by climbing rats is chewed about 1.5 metres above ground level. The bitten stalk is usually bent over at the point of attack. Climbing rat damage is often found in blocks beside harbourage areas. Damage commonly extends from the edge of the block in for about 15 metres. Reduced yields are similar to those caused by ground rats. Bitten stalks reduce the tonnes of cane/ha and open the stalks up to secondary infection by bacteria, fungi and insects which lower the CCS.

Description
The climbing rat is a small animal which varies in colour. Back colour varies from grey to red brown. Belly colour is white, grey or cream, sometimes grading to pale orange on the sides. The tail of the climbing rat has a tile pattern as opposed to the series of rings in the case of the ground rat.

Control
Control of climbing rats in the past has relied heavily upon the use of baits. Climbing rats generally rely on harbourage areas. Reducing harbourage areas near to crops will provide the best long term control of climbing rats. Trials have shown that planting trees will provide long term control of climbing rats. Growing closed canopy vegetation (similar to rainforest) in harbourage areas shades out the grasses and weeds which provide both shelter and food for climbing rats. Planting trees in harbourage areas can completely exclude climbing rats within two years. Other methods such as grazing, spraying and slashing harbourage areas can effectively control climbing rat populations. Steep banks and wet weathe roften make these strategies difficult.