New York City Rats (What You Need to Know)
Like it or not, one of the iconic symbols of New York City, is the rat. Some New Yorkers fear rats. Some New Yorker idolize rats. Rats are polarizing, yet, despite our mayor’s best efforts, are most likely here to stay. But how did rats first come to New York City? What makes New York City so hospitable for rats? And what are other fun facts to know about New York City rats? Let’s explore the New York City rat.
How did rats come to New York City?
Like all good New Yorkers, the New York City rat is a descendant of many different immigrants. The rats first traveled to the city on the ships of voyagers. Of course, there is more than one type of rat in the world. In fact, it seemed every country had its species of rat traveling on its ships. The black rat, (also known as “rattus rattus”) traveled with the Spanish. The Norway rat (also known as “rattus norvegicus”) traveled with those who settled New Amsterdam, and later, the British.
New York City was a trading city, so ships from all over the world docked here. Their rats often decided to get off the ships and explore. Rattus rattus (the black rat) and rattus norvegicus (the Norwegian brown rat) became the two strongest and most dominant rats in New York City.
The two types of rats do not cohabitate peacefully within the city. The brown rat is larger and often aggressively attacks the black rat. The brown rat also dominates the competition for food and shelter. Today, if you see a rat in New York City, it’s probably a brown rat.
An interesting feature of New York City’s rat population is, the brown rats you see in Uptown Manhattan are genetically different than those you’d find downtown. A study completed in 2017 by Matthew Combs shows that rats rarely travel more than a few blocks in their year lifespan. Surprisingly, Midtown Manhattan is relatively devoid of rats, so Manhattan’s rats developed into two distinct genetic pools, uptown rats (those found above 59th Street) and downtown rats (those found below 14th Street.) Geneticists can even go a step further and identify which neighborhood a rat came from based on its genetics!
Are Rats Unsanitary? (And other myths to bust)
Did you know that, despite their unsanitary reputation, rats have the same level of hygiene as your pet cat? The “dirty sewer rat” reputation may be unfounded. Rats are very good at grooming.
Another rat myth to bust is that rats aren’t smart. In fact, rats can be taught tricks and even show empathy for their fellow rats! Some studies show that rats can even giggle when tickled! Rats do best with a rat companion, and fail to thrive in an isolated environment.
We also owe a lot to rats as a society. Did you know that 31 Nobel prizes have been awarded to studies that used rats?
What Do Rats Eat?
Perhaps the most famous rat in all of history of “Pizza Rat.” While it may seem that rats eat everything, this is not true. Some studies suggest that the favorite foods of NYC rats are scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, and sweet corn. If you’re trying to repel NYC rats, try foods with vinegar, onions, or peppermint oil. They also hate the smell of ammonia.
What to Do If You See a Rat in NYC
The truth is, in most scenarios, if you see a rat, it will not hurt you. It will be more afraid of you than you are of it. Ignore it, or if it’s carrying a giant slice of pizza, film it. Maybe it will go viral on social media. Or you can always show the photo on our giant Welcome to Times Square Billboard.
If you feel the rats are posing a health violation, be it at a business or residence, call 311 to report the issue. The health department will send inspectors to investigate the situation.
The best way to prevent rats from being an issue is to ensure the garbage cans in your neighnorhood have tight fitting lids and that garbage isn’t left out for long periods of time before pick-up. Make sure there are no cracks or holes in your foundations, walls, floors, windows, or underneath doors, and that you and your neighbors use your trash chutes properly.