Touch is well developed in highly sensitive whiskers or vibrissae and certain guard (tactile) hairs.  Rats and mice prefer to run along walls or between things where they can keep their whiskers in contact with side surfaces.

Vision is not too well developed.  Apparently they are color blind, so any distinctive coloring of poison baits does not reduce their acceptance by rats.

Smell is keen.  Rodents apparently like the odors of most foods eaten by man.  They are accustomed to the smell of man, so his odor on baits and traps not repel them.

Taste is not as sensitive as in man.  Rats associate sickness caused by poison bait with the bait and not the poison.  They prefer fresh food to decayed food.

Hearing is keenly developed.  They can locate the source of a noise within 6 inches.  Unusual noises cause rodents to attempt escape.

Balance is excellent.  A falling rodent always lands on its feet. The roof rat even maintains its balance well while walking on suspended wires.

Reaction to strange objects.  Rats may avoid a new sound or a strange object in their environment for 3 or more days, particularly if their associates are alarmed by it.  Other objects are accepted readily by them (i.e., food and garbage).  As rodent population pressures build, rats frequently exhibit "chain-fright reaction" to disturbances.  Mice are more likely to explore new objects and to be caught in newly set traps.

Climbing.  Roof rats and house mice are good climbers, and the Norway rat can climb quite well when necessary.

Jumping and reaching.  Rats can jump nearly 2 feet vertically, 3 feet from a running start; they can jump 4 feet horizontally, and 8 feet from an elevation 15 feet above the finish point.  Rats can reach upward about 18 inches.

Swimming.  Rodents are good swimmers.  They are able to swim up through floor drains and toilet bowl traps.