I've had rats many years, but only as pets. I currently have a small colony as feeder breeders. I've only had one escape ever, and it was back when I had pet fancy rats and was first experimenting with homemade cages. caught her a couple nights later with one of those non lethal homemade rat traps using a trash can she couldn't jump back out of. I've never had a feeder escape, but then again I do spoil 'em a bit heh.