Climbing
Climbing
If animals are able to climb or breach a fence it renders it redundant and must be avoided at all costs.
Amphibians, reptiles and small mammals have the ability to traverse their habitats in intricate ways and this must be seriously considered when designing a fence. Many mammals, frogs, lizards, salamanders and turtles are able to utilize their limbs to climb fence materials whereas snakes commonly distribute their weight to navigate creases or excess fixings and fastenings to get over a barrier.
Frog climbing plastic mesh.
Most species find solid barriers much more difficult to climb than multi-strand, woven and mesh style fences as these replicate ladders.
The shape of the fence also plays an important part as different species will find it more difficult to traverse an arching or overhanging fence than a vertical fence without an anti-climb lip.
As well as the material choice and shape, maintenance is also a key factor in the suitability and longevity of a fence. If vegetation is not kept low around a fence, animals may use vegetation as a bridge or ladder to scale an otherwise non-climbable fence. It is also a lot easier for vegetation to become entangled in mesh fencing than it is in solid barriers.