Buzz
While many view rats as dirty and undesirable creatures, often associated with disease and scavenging behaviors like carrying large slices of pizza, Robert Sullivan offers a fresh perspective. In his 2004 book, Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City’s Most Unwanted Inhabitants, Sullivan dedicates a year to studying alley rats, conversing with pest control experts, and exploring their historical impact, from urban development to pop culture. Below are seven captivating insights from his remarkable work that will change how you see these creatures.
1. RATS RELY ON TOUCH TO NAVIGATE AND FIND THEIR WAY BACK.
Rats are thigmophilic, meaning they have a strong affinity for touch. As Sullivan explains, this is why they prefer corners, where they can stay close to walls while planning their escape. As they navigate through cluttered alleys, crawl through pipes, or dash across floors, rats build a mental map of their surroundings, memorizing the safest and fastest routes. Interestingly, this knowledge is inherited. When an older rat dies, younger rats learn these pathways by following their predecessors, ensuring the survival of essential routes to food and shelter for future generations. In Sullivan’s words, “Deep in their rat tendons, rats know history.”
2. SUBWAY WORKERS HAVE AN ADORABLE NAME FOR RATS IN THE SUBWAY.
As Sullivan notes, New York subway workers affectionately refer to the rats scurrying around stations and tracks as “track rabbits.”
3. QUEEN VICTORIA EMPLOYED A RAT CATCHER.
Jack Black, a trailblazer in rat catching, wore a top hat and a sash adorned with iron rats. He claimed the title of Queen Victoria’s official rat catcher, despite lacking a royal decree. However, he did sell her some rats. While primarily catching rats, Black also bred and sold them as pets to Victorian women, including Queen Victoria and Beatrix Potter, the children’s book author and scientist. Black’s rats had diverse fates: some ended up in rat pits, while others became early lab rats, such as the albino rats he sold to French researchers. Sullivan speculates: “I like to think that all modern scientific advancements involving lab rats can be traced back to Jack Black, the rat catcher.”
4. THE CANADIAN PROVINCE OF ALBERTA HAS NO RATS.
In 1950, when rats were detected near Alberta, Canada’s southeastern border, the Canadian government launched a rigorous rat-control initiative. According to the Alberta agricultural department, this program has maintained the province as “essentially rat-free.” However, as Sullivan highlights, there were brief instances when rats infiltrated border areas. One Alberta mayor initially denied their presence, even vowing to eat any rats discovered in his town. His stance shifted when confronted with a bushel of Rattus norvegicus.
5. RAT FIGHTING WAS A THRILLING ENTERTAINMENT IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICA.
During the 1830s, long before shows like The Bachelor captivated audiences, rat fighting was a popular spectacle. Spectators wagered on how quickly a dog could eliminate a group of rats. Kit Burns, an Irish immigrant associated with the notorious Dead Rabbits Gang, ran one of New York City’s largest rat pits at Sportsman’s Hall on 273 Water Street. His dogs, including favorites like “Jack” and “Hunky,” were always prepared for matches. Burns occasionally used ferrets but never allowed humans to participate, unlike some other pits.
By the late 1860s, rat pits faced growing opposition. Henry Bergh, founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, led raids across the city, targeting venues like Sportsman’s Hall, one of the last remaining rat pits. Kit Burns adapted by diversifying his business. He hosted morning prayer meetings and later transformed the space into The Kit Burns Mission, a refuge for “wayward women,” for three years.
Despite these changes, Burns didn’t entirely abandon rat fighting. A decade later, he and patrons at his new bar, The Band-Box, were caught in a rat fight on November 21, 1870. Burns passed away from a cold before facing trial. Thanks to efforts by Bergh and other advocates against animal cruelty, rat pit fights have largely disappeared from public memory and popularity.
6. JAMES AUDUBON HAD A PASSION FOR HUNTING RATS.
While James Audubon is celebrated for his masterpiece The Birds of North America, few know he also had a fascination with rats. He created a lithograph depicting Black Rats feasting on eggs in a barn. During his time in New York in 1839, he even convinced the mayor to allow him to “shoot Rats at the Battery early in the morning, ensuring the safety of nearby residents.” Beyond his legacy as a renowned naturalist, Audubon also demonstrated thoughtfulness toward his neighbors.
7. A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO THE RAT CATCHING INDUSTRY EXISTS.
In his book Rats, Sullivan praises Pest Control Technology magazine, attending one of their “Rat Management Summits” and referencing columns by Bobby Corrigan, author of the industry bible Rodent Control: A Practical Guide for Pest Management Professionals. The magazine’s website features a regular podcast with pest control experts and even includes occasional poetry.
To explore more about Sullivan’s fascinating book, don’t forget to click here.
