World Rat Day 2024
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Anyone encountering the rats of New York would think twice before having a pet rat.
I migrated from an adorable rex rat to gerbils due to my job with the local school district. I would point out that based on my experience the rat is intelligent and cunning as well as an endearing animal which will go out of it's way to please you. Contrast this with the gerbil which will simply exist and look at you and eat the food you provide ... but that's it. The rat just can't shake it's history as vermin.
Nowadays I decline to adopt rodents of any kind. Something about 80 ten gallon aquariums containinng pairs of gerbils stomping their feet will do that to you. It was really a very spectacular show the many times I witnessed it.
Today is World Rat Day.
It is supposedly to dispel any trepidations you may harbor regarding these animals — but I'm afraid it simply can never go far enough for me personally. Too much time on the piers and in Chicago and New York City I'm afraid.
Since the era of bubonic plague the rat has been shunned by the vast majority of the public for what I consider to be good reason.
I don't like rat excrement in my environment. I don't like chewed damage of stuff laying around. I don't like ruined packages of food. I maintain ultrasonic and other deterrents to thwart their presence. I'm not above setting a well baited death dealing mechanical trap either.
So yeah, it's a bad rap but I'm afraid the rat is stuck with it.
See Also:
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day 2023
California Rodentia