The Big Apple's Big Problem: How Big Do New York Rats Really Get?
Ah, New York City. The city that never sleeps... except maybe for those quick naps rats take in the subway after a long night of dodging tourists and scavenging for pizza crusts. But these aren't your average, basement-dwelling rats. No, New York City boasts its own special breed of super-sized subway surfers!
So, how big are we talking? Buckle up, because we're about to dive down the rabbit hole... I mean, sewer tunnel... of New York's ratty residents.
Not Quite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Size (But Still Pretty Gross)
Let's dispel the myths first. Those internet rumours of rats the size of toddlers are just that: rumours. While they certainly wouldn't be welcome at your next picnic, New York's rats are more likely to be mistaken for a particularly well-fed hamster than a sewer-dwelling sensei.
The truth is, the average New York City rat (a fancy term for the brown rat, or Norway rat) is about 16 inches long, including the tail, and weighs around a pound. That's not exactly pocket-sized, but it's not nightmare fuel either.
However, these guys are resourceful. With a plentiful food supply (thanks in part to our not-so-great littering habits) and a competitive breeding scene, some New York rats can reach lengths of 20 inches and tip the scales at a whopping 2 pounds! Imagine a furry hot dog with a bad attitude and a taste for takeout. Not exactly the image we want associated with the city that never sleeps, is it?
Size Matters (Especially When You're Sharing Your Apartment)
Here's the thing about big rats: they don't need a lot of space to be a major pain. They can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter, which means your shoebox apartment on the Lower East Side is basically a rat mansion. Shudder-inducing fact: New York rats can also jump up to 4 feet and swim for three days. So, avoiding them by hiding on top of the fridge with a pool noodle is probably not the best strategy.
The bottom line? New York rats are big enough to be creepy, but not quite big enough to take over the city (yet). But hey, with those survival skills, who knows what the future holds? Maybe we should start stocking up on pizza crusts... just in case.
FAQ: How to Deal with New York's Big Rat Problem
How to avoid attracting rats? Keep your place clean, store food in sealed containers, and don't leave trash lying around. Basically, don't be that roommate who never does the dishes.
How to get rid of rats in your apartment? Set traps (but be humane!), invest in some ultrasonic deterrents (although their effectiveness is debatable), or call a professional exterminator.
How to make peace with living in a city with giant rats? Focus on the good stuff – like amazing pizza and Broadway shows. And tell yourself that at least you're not sharing your apartment with pigeons (those guys are jerks).
How to train a New York rat to become your personal pizza-fetching champion? (Sorry, this one's a trick question. Don't try this at home.)
How to convince your friends that you totally saw a rat the size of a cat? Good luck with that. They'll probably just think you've had one too many slices of dollar pizza.
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