The ‘Chicago Rat Hole’ overflowing with gifts of currency and estrogen tablets.(Image credit: JunLpermode, Claimed upload by photographer Archived: Photo, Upload, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
A rat-shaped depression situated on a Chicago pavement turned out to be a sensation early in the previous year, with numerous individuals traveling to the pit holding coins and other contributions. Nevertheless, a fresh analysis implies the recognized “Chicago Rat Hole” wasn’t truly produced by a rat — it was probably the form of a squirrel.
Through assessment of the hole’s traits against details concerning the regional rodent numbers, scientists concluded that a squirrel was the most likely originator. The findings were released Wednesday (Oct. 15) within the Biology Letters publication.
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The indentation, a finely kept print of a rodent’s end in set concrete, existed for many years prior to trending virally. It turned into a place of interest for tourists during 2024 after the Chicago-based artist and comedian Winslow Dumaine advertised its existence on the social network X.
Had to make a pilgrimage to the Chicago Rat Hole pic.twitter.com/g4P44nvJ1fJanuary 6, 2024
“Squirrels present better on TV than rats,” Dumaine shared with Live Science. “But I believe that referring to it as a rat hole was fundamental in its rise in fame.”
As the scientists encountered images of the indentation across social networks, some felt it didn’t present as being particularly “rat-like,” senior researcher Edwin Dickinson, an archaeologist at the University of Calgary, revealed to Live Science. Additionally, it appeared improbable for a rat to create such an impression on wet concrete without also creating paw prints coming up to it. These hunches encouraged scientists to analyze the indentation in more depth.
Employing the user-based science application iNaturalist, which records local wildlife, the study’s creators pinpointed possible creatures that might have been responsible for the hole. From the indentation, they determined that it must be a four-legged creature, possessing feet with five claws, and a tail.
Subsequently, it depended on relative sizes. The study’s writers were unable to measure the indentation itself, as city officials eliminated it in April 2024, pointing to the disturbance that crowds brought into the Roscoe Village locality. Though, they could obtain precise measurements thanks to the many images individuals had shared showcasing the imprint alongside coinage and other objects.
The scientists contrasted their dimensions to examples located at the American Museum of Natural History. A statistical examination of this data presented a 98.7% likelihood that the hole was made by either an eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) or a fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) .
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Considering this result, the scientists recommended re-branding the rat hole as the “Windy City Sidewalk Squirrel” in order to more accurately signify its origin.
The authors anticipate that this work will inspire individuals to discover the joy in scientific research.
“The rat hole may act as the medium, but the notion that we aim to continue in this study is… there’s nothing inherently complex or intimidating about adhering to the scientific methodology,” Dickinson remarked. “It presents something everyone can utilize in our everyday existences.”
K.R. CallawayLive Science Contributor
K.R. Callaway functions as a freelance journalist with a focus on science, well-being, historical study and regulations. She possesses a bachelor’s level in Classical studies attained from the University of Virginia and presently pursues a master’s in New York University’s Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program.
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