This is the sewer embarrassing moment a roly-poly rat is released back into the wild after getting wedged in a manhole cover.

The rotund rodent got stuck fast when it tried to climb through a hole after living off the rich pickings of the sewers underneath Cologne, Germany.

Passersby called wildlife experts last weekend after noticing the creature’s head, chest, and front legs sticking out of the hole.

After lifting the cover rescuers could see that the rat’s well-padded tummy had become trapped firmly in the cover.

A statement from Cologne Animal Rescue obtained by Newsflash said: “The little rat obviously had no injuries, but its little hips and buttocks were a bit too wide for the small hole in the manhole cover.”

One rescuer named Dennis, explained: “I lifted the lid, positioned the legs so that it wouldn’t hurt itself, and pulled the rat backwards out of the hole.”

The rescue group continued: “After the lid was lifted, the little rat remained calm and allowed itself to be easily pulled out of the hole.”

The wildlife group shared video footage showing the rat being released back into the wild from a cardboard box.

As it realised it was free, the rat sprints into the undergrowth faster than its bulk might suggest.

The animal rescuers explained: “Even when being moved into the box, it remained calm and showed no signs of wanting to bite.

“It was then allowed to run into freedom in a nearby field.”

The clip became a huge hit on Cologne Animal Rescue’s TikTok profile, with more than 63,000 likes and 31,000 shares.

One watcher called ‘liei310’ said: “Oh no the little feet. How they hang there.”

Then TikTok user ‘Lilli model’ commented: “It is also a living being that deserves to live its life, thank you for your efforts.”

And ‘J’ added: “The way it sits there, boy, I’m crying.”