The Great New York Rat Census: How Many Whiskered New Yorkers Are There Really?
Ah, New York City. The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. And, according to some, the Rat Capital of the Universe! But just how many furry friends (or perhaps not-so-furry foes) are actually scurrying around the concrete jungle? Buckle up, folks, because we're diving into the fascinating, slightly terrifying, and undeniably hilarious world of NYC's rat population.
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| How Many Rats Are There In New York |
Urban Legends and Whiskered Myths
For years, the answer to "how many rats in New York" has been as elusive as finding a decent slice of pizza after 2 am. The whispers on the street (quite literally, if you hear squeaking) claimed there were five rats for every human! Now, that's a conspiracy theory even Joey from Friends wouldn't believe (although, extra pizza crust for everyone might explain it).
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Science to the Rescue! (Maybe)
Thankfully, intrepid researchers have bravely ventured into the underbelly of the city (wearing very thick boots, one hopes) to shed some light on this whiskered mystery. A 2023 study estimated the rat population to be around 3 million. 3 MILLION! That's enough rats to fill Yankee Stadium... about 15 times over!
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But wait, there's more! This number is just an estimate, and some folks believe it could be even higher. Maybe those five-to-one rumors weren't so crazy after all...
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So, Do We Have to Share Our Apartments Now?
Relax, New Yorkers! While there are definitely a lot of rats, it's unlikely they'll be taking over your living room any time soon. Most rats are content to live underground, feasting on garbage and occasionally causing mischief (like that time they chewed through a cable wire and brought down the internet for a whole borough... no, that wasn't me, why do you ask?).
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Fun Fact: Rat Math!
Here's a bit of "math" (air quotes because let's be honest, who actually enjoys math?) based on the 3 million estimate. With a human population of around 8.5 million, that means there are roughly one-third as many rats as people in New York City. So, next time you see a fellow New Yorker on the subway, you can ponder the existential question: are you more likely to be sitting next to a human or a highly motivated rodent?
How To Live With (or Avoid) Our Ratty Roommates: A 5-Step Guide
- Don't leave food scraps around. This is basically an invitation to a rat buffet. Secure your trash cans and avoid late-night picnics in the park (unless you want uninvited guests).
- Keep your apartment clean. Crumbs are like ratty gold nuggets. Sweep, vacuum, and generally be a tidy person. They may not appreciate your interior design skills, but they'll at least be less likely to set up camp.
- Adopt a cat (optional). Cats are natural predators, and their mere presence can deter some rats. Just be prepared to explain to your feline friend why they can't actually catch the lightning-fast New York City rat.
- Embrace the chaos. Look, rats are a part of New York City. They're like the pigeons, the yellow cabs, and the never-ending construction – just another quirky feature of this amazing (and slightly insane) place.
- Develop a working relationship with your local bodega cat. These battle-hardened felines have seen it all, and they may just have some sage advice on how to navigate the world of NYC rats.
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