You probably covered this, but the Mayor's job listing for rat czar was epic:"highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty with a swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor, and general aura of badassery." I hired an exterminator who claimed he could tell if a rat was pregnant by the smell of its urine. I might pass on your email.
There were two rats who came to stay in my last apartment. They were quite playful in ways that I wish I could have found charming. They enjoyed racing each other around the circumference of the rooms at night, unimpeded by objects in the way. As in they would race over my and my husband’s bodies as we tried to sleep. They also brought their own toys with them that they would leave out in the kitchen - tiny sparkly balls that they must have found in another apartment. It was very Beatrix Potter and they were completely undisturbed by our attempts to make them leave. I think we’d better do what humans do so well and harness that other species energy because we can’t beat them. Will think on a valid submission for joining the Rat Pack Think Tank!
Oh boy. I do like rats but I don't think I'd be cool with them scampering over the bed while I slept, Sarah, even if they had sparkle toys. Sounds like the only way you were able to part ways was by moving out yourself?
Although I don't have any specific thoughts for your study group (love the idea!), I just wanted to comment that certain types of rats are trained to sniff out bombs and detect animal trafficking. Possibly all rats share these special sniffers and could be useful in some way. I've never seen a rat, although living in the woods we've had our share of mice. A two-cat house solved that problem. Apparently, mice share data on danger!
That is amazing, Linda! We did learn a bit in the class about their amazing sense of smell but bomb sniffing never occurred to me. And because they fit into places where dogs can't go I bet this could come in very handy!
Perhaps we could solve the entire rat problem by using these giant sniffing ratsos as RAT INFLUENCERS. I was gonna say "role models" but that's so mid-century.
Fascinating, Laurie! Thanks for the link. Now I must know more about this is "new, delicious formula" that is "basically designed to be irresistible to rats."
So fascinating! I learned some things about rats today, thanks to you and the health department. Granted, I haven't seen a wild rat out here in decades, but, you know, knowledge is power.
I wonder what research has been done on using rats as a food source. That seems the obvious choice for what to do to make them useful. I mean, it grosses me out, but if we can eat crickets and scorpions and such, we could probably find a way to safely eat rats.
Back in the 1970s, my local KFC in the UK was closed down following someone being hospitalised after choking on a bone. Sure enough, they had been frying rats. No-one had complained about the flavour, so perhaps they taste like chicken ? 🤷
I can see it, Mr. Nix. Mayor Adams could lead a rat caravan, pied piper style, across the nation! That would be a welcome distraction from just about...everything!
Back in the day we had a pair of pet rats. They were very smart, with their own distinct personalities. Once I had one out to play with, and he was startled when someone came in the door, so he jumped down my sleeve to hide. A rat down my sleeve was...well, unexpected. Unfortunately they gave me hives, otherwise they made fun pets.
My vote for creepiest animal/creature goes to the mole cricket. I didn't know they existed until one turned up in my house. Google it and you will see why my first thought was "hello, Alien Overlord".
"Wow!" But seriously, I'm not sure it's a good idea to find something for them to do, at least not ONLY. With their growth rate, you'll soon run out of things. I AM serious here, maybe misplaced, but I love all animals and the peanut butter traps and poisons just freak me out. How about stopping them from reproducing so much? I'm sure that's possible. Sorry for being so serious, but as I said...
Hi Jessica, I actually think that was the main point of the city's presentation—to find ways to discourage the rats from reproducing rather than killing them outright. As its clear you already know, it's not only more humane it's more effective in the long run.
That powerpoint had me laughing out loud. How is it that we know the precise quantity of liquid and food a rat eats per day and yet we still can't get a better garbage pick up system?
Also, you're putting yourself in a position to meet Mayor Adams one day (maybe, but I can hope). I would give anything to read that interview. It would be absolutely epic.
This article is amazing Mordy. Not just tusks and horns but pangolin scales! (I've only recently learned about pangolins, perhaps the world's creepiest looking animals).
OMG Jeff thank you for posting this. I skipped right to the rat portion and then I just lost it. LOL! Especially when they decided to bring in the AI. SO FUNNY. I am for sure going to write this all up in a future newsletter.
David, there is a similar outdoor tank in Red Hook that I wrote about a few years back (which didn't get any press) and the city has left it alone for years:
Just love your articles, Anne….always so informative and funny! I will try to think of some ideas to use rats for good. I love the idea of a Rat Pack Think Tank! Also, glad to know the aquarium is back and in a new home. Thanks for the entertainment!
The way you wrote about the class made me laugh so much. Apparently I have a sense of humor very sensitive to rat stories. 😂 Also I found it hilarious that you typed boroughs when I think you meant burrows??? Although both work here!!!
This is fantastic, Anne! And the T-shirts should say "Stress the Pest!"
Whoever came up with that was a genius, Rob!
Also "Stress The Pest" would be a good Ramones song.
Attack! Attack! Attack!
You probably covered this, but the Mayor's job listing for rat czar was epic:"highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty with a swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor, and general aura of badassery." I hired an exterminator who claimed he could tell if a rat was pregnant by the smell of its urine. I might pass on your email.
Rob, I need to talk to that exterminator for sure.
"Somewhat bloodthirsty." It's the modifier that makes this so funny!!!
There were two rats who came to stay in my last apartment. They were quite playful in ways that I wish I could have found charming. They enjoyed racing each other around the circumference of the rooms at night, unimpeded by objects in the way. As in they would race over my and my husband’s bodies as we tried to sleep. They also brought their own toys with them that they would leave out in the kitchen - tiny sparkly balls that they must have found in another apartment. It was very Beatrix Potter and they were completely undisturbed by our attempts to make them leave. I think we’d better do what humans do so well and harness that other species energy because we can’t beat them. Will think on a valid submission for joining the Rat Pack Think Tank!
Oh boy. I do like rats but I don't think I'd be cool with them scampering over the bed while I slept, Sarah, even if they had sparkle toys. Sounds like the only way you were able to part ways was by moving out yourself?
Shudder.
Thank you for the sympathy shudder
Yeah, my mouth actually dropped open reading about the critters scurrying across your bodies at night. Hell. No.
Although I don't have any specific thoughts for your study group (love the idea!), I just wanted to comment that certain types of rats are trained to sniff out bombs and detect animal trafficking. Possibly all rats share these special sniffers and could be useful in some way. I've never seen a rat, although living in the woods we've had our share of mice. A two-cat house solved that problem. Apparently, mice share data on danger!
That is amazing, Linda! We did learn a bit in the class about their amazing sense of smell but bomb sniffing never occurred to me. And because they fit into places where dogs can't go I bet this could come in very handy!
A link closer to home which you will love I promise: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-giant-vest-wearing-sniffer-rats-could-help-combat-the-illegal-wildlife-trade-scientists-say-180985364/ There is a great pic with the story. I will email you. I trained as an animal technician 1959-1963 in London and looked after rats and more besides. Given the opportunity they keep themselves and one another clean with endless grooming when the are not eating or mating. I left when I finally came out against experimentation on animals of any kind.🐰
OMG these three-pound rats with their little vests are adorable!
Perhaps we could solve the entire rat problem by using these giant sniffing ratsos as RAT INFLUENCERS. I was gonna say "role models" but that's so mid-century.
Hi Linda, I just shared a link to the story of the landmine rats that are working in Cambodia, Angola and Mozambique! It's really impressive---and I had no idea about their involvement in the illegal wildlife trade. Thanks for sharing that Smithsonian mag article! Here are the HeroRats that are also sniffing out tuberculosis! https://apopo.org/herorats/?_gl=1*rbsdhz*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTA5NjU1MjY2Ni4xNzMwODQ4OTc4*_ga_TJ8958P41M*MTczMDg0ODk3Ny4xLjEuMTczMDg0OTMxMy4wLjAuMjg5NzExMzgz
Nice! Thanks for the link. Now I want to adopt one of these cuties.
The ideal holiday gift for those who have everything! Rat adoption certificates for everyone!
The city has actually announced that they're going to start using rat birth control: https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-attempts-to-sterilize-manhattan-rats-with-new-delicious-birth-control
Fascinating, Laurie! Thanks for the link. Now I must know more about this is "new, delicious formula" that is "basically designed to be irresistible to rats."
It's just pizza.
There you go! So funny!
So fascinating! I learned some things about rats today, thanks to you and the health department. Granted, I haven't seen a wild rat out here in decades, but, you know, knowledge is power.
I wonder what research has been done on using rats as a food source. That seems the obvious choice for what to do to make them useful. I mean, it grosses me out, but if we can eat crickets and scorpions and such, we could probably find a way to safely eat rats.
Rats as food! I've eaten worse things for sure, Justin. The Rat Pack Think Tank will look into the research and report back.
Back in the 1970s, my local KFC in the UK was closed down following someone being hospitalised after choking on a bone. Sure enough, they had been frying rats. No-one had complained about the flavour, so perhaps they taste like chicken ? 🤷
I live in Los Angeles, where it's said that Hollywood is full of snakes. So I'm thinking maybe New York could send the rats west to be snake food.
I can see it, Mr. Nix. Mayor Adams could lead a rat caravan, pied piper style, across the nation! That would be a welcome distraction from just about...everything!
Back in the day we had a pair of pet rats. They were very smart, with their own distinct personalities. Once I had one out to play with, and he was startled when someone came in the door, so he jumped down my sleeve to hide. A rat down my sleeve was...well, unexpected. Unfortunately they gave me hives, otherwise they made fun pets.
My vote for creepiest animal/creature goes to the mole cricket. I didn't know they existed until one turned up in my house. Google it and you will see why my first thought was "hello, Alien Overlord".
Am afraid to Google 'mole cricket,' T-POP...
Okay, now I am very sorry I Googled 'mole cricket'.
Honestly, the reality was scarier than the photos. They're BIG. Supposedly they don't bite or attack people, but still...
Tamer than the rhino beetle! Anne, be sure to google the giraffe weevil (though they shouldn't turn up in your NYC parts!).
OMG giraffe weevil very cool!!!
The photo from this article is unbelievable!
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/13/science/meet-the-giraffe-weevil-its-got-a-secret-up-its-long-snout.html
"Wow!" But seriously, I'm not sure it's a good idea to find something for them to do, at least not ONLY. With their growth rate, you'll soon run out of things. I AM serious here, maybe misplaced, but I love all animals and the peanut butter traps and poisons just freak me out. How about stopping them from reproducing so much? I'm sure that's possible. Sorry for being so serious, but as I said...
Hi Jessica, I actually think that was the main point of the city's presentation—to find ways to discourage the rats from reproducing rather than killing them outright. As its clear you already know, it's not only more humane it's more effective in the long run.
Bahaha... Atta girl!
Thanks Alisa. So many interesting free things to do in NYC.
Ratta girl
On this sad morning, you are SO good.
That powerpoint had me laughing out loud. How is it that we know the precise quantity of liquid and food a rat eats per day and yet we still can't get a better garbage pick up system?
Also, you're putting yourself in a position to meet Mayor Adams one day (maybe, but I can hope). I would give anything to read that interview. It would be absolutely epic.
In my dream interview with Eric Adams, Jillian, we would only talk about rats, God, food, vibes and our wardrobes.
There is a solution in existence for having rats be a more productive part in the universe.
"Rats with tiny backpacks are being used to sniff out illegally trafficked wildlife items.
African giant pouched rats have been trained to recognize the scent of illegal animal parts such as elephant tusks and rhino horns."
see this article, especially the picture of rats with backpacks - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rats-with-tiny-backpacks-being-used-to-sniff-out-wildlife-smugglers-trafficking-in-animal-parts/
This article is amazing Mordy. Not just tusks and horns but pangolin scales! (I've only recently learned about pangolins, perhaps the world's creepiest looking animals).
It's a scam. SAD!
This article was so bizarre I had to tweet about it. Scroll down a ways if you only want to read about the rats:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hollow-work-halo-trust-abbie-aryan-ccmse/?trackingId=MC6YFRfwThiNOVipCKYzLQ%3D%3D
OMG Jeff thank you for posting this. I skipped right to the rat portion and then I just lost it. LOL! Especially when they decided to bring in the AI. SO FUNNY. I am for sure going to write this all up in a future newsletter.
I think we need to get into the Rat BackPack business....
And thanks for https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ , I can use a daily dose.
Hopefully the Bed-Stuy Aquarium stays around this time. It might serve as an example for other cities as to how to use the concrete jungle creatively.
David, there is a similar outdoor tank in Red Hook that I wrote about a few years back (which didn't get any press) and the city has left it alone for years:
https://annekadet.substack.com/i/72883444/sidewalk-goldfish-pond
So I think the Bed-Stuy version is probably safe at this point!
Just love your articles, Anne….always so informative and funny! I will try to think of some ideas to use rats for good. I love the idea of a Rat Pack Think Tank! Also, glad to know the aquarium is back and in a new home. Thanks for the entertainment!
Glad you enjoyed Candace! Looking forward to hearing your ideas!
The way you wrote about the class made me laugh so much. Apparently I have a sense of humor very sensitive to rat stories. 😂 Also I found it hilarious that you typed boroughs when I think you meant burrows??? Although both work here!!!
Haha that is a great spelling error, Catherine! Thanks for calling that to my attention. I will fix!
Glad you the reading about class made you laugh. I really enjoyed the session myself.
This was disgusting and fascinating. Hehe. Plastic isn’t biodegradable. If rats eat plastic problem solved. Oceans saved. Snap.
Boom! Fixed! Haha! Thank you Carissa!