Are Rats Really Rats?
WouterRats are rodents that are medium-sized and have long tails. They are found in the order Rodentia. While the stereotypical rat belongs to the genus Rattus, there are many other species in the rat family, including Neotoma, Bandicota, and Dipodomys.
In the comic book series “The Ballad of Halo Jones”, created by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson, there is a mystical creature called the Rat King. These creatures are super intelligent and have been known to coordinate the global attacks of rats that decimate entire cities. They are often accompanied by two or three other rats.
In many parts of the world, rats are popular food. Although it is not a necessity, consuming rodents may become more common in the West. The meat from these rodents is delicious and could even be featured on Western menus. If there are enough people willing to try them, we might see them in our dining rooms soon.
Scientists discovered seven new species of giant rats in East Timor, weighing in excess of eleven pounds (5 kilograms). These animals were ten times bigger than modern rats. They were able to sniff out landmines and even tuberculosis. Although the size of the animals was reduced by humans, they did remain in the area.
While it is not possible to trace their origins, there are many accounts of them being used by humans. In 1760, Frenchman Buffon noted that the city of Paris was home to a brown rat. In his diary, Buffon noted that the animal had appeared nine or ten years prior.
