New York, the city that never sleeps is famous for various attractions. Like, Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and literally many more. However, do you know what is that one weird thing New York is known for? In this article, you will learn about the rats in New York City. Yes, along with so many beautiful and amazing views, NYC is also famous for the presence of rats in large numbers. Unfortunately, these rats are present mostly everywhere in the city and they have become a part of the culture. Moreover, the main problem is that these rats are not the normal rats you see but way bigger. Therefore, in this article you will learn everything about New York Rats Size.
About The Rats in New York City
As we mentioned, New York City is famous for the presence of rodents in large numbers. Not just residents or tourists notice them, New York rats are famous on social media and news too. Notably, the main problem is not their presence but their size and numbers. It would not be wrong if we say that these rodents dominate the New York City.
Norway Rats, also known as street rats are a part of the city. You can find these rodents everywhere in the city like tunnels, trash, alleyways, underground ways, etc. Furthermore, this species in the city have muscular build that often scare people living there or even tourists. But, have you ever wondered why New York City is the home to these rodents? Let’s find out in the next section:
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New York City – Rodents’ Home
The rat population in the city is something that cannot be ignored. Because they are so much in number that they have become a permanent part of the city. Every street, every trash pile, subway platform is the home to these rats. The reasons behind this city being a home to these huge rodents are:
- NYC has a large population living there. The crowd makes it easier for rodents to hide at places. Moreover, they get enough food to survive there.
- The amount of food that is wasted in the city on a regular basis is unimaginable. It becomes a treat for the huge rats every day. The sidewalks are filled with garbage bags that eventually give shelter to this species.
- Winters are mild. Therefore, rats survive more.
- The infrastructure of the NYC is old and ageing. Notably, there are so many sewers, tunnels, underground ways, subways, etc that give space to these rodents to crawl freely.
These are some of the reasons behind New York City being the home to rodents. Let’s know more about New York Rats size in detail:
New York Rats Size
The rats in the city grow larger than expected. In fact, some people also say that these rodents are “cat-sized”. However, this is not the actuality. The “cat-sized” is just a phrase to emphasise on how big these rats are. But, the rats are not really the size of a cat. In comparison, they are way smaller. However, when it comes to comparison of these rats and normal rats, Norway rats are actually huge.
Notably, the body length of these rodents is approximately 9 to 11 inches. Moreover, the tail is usually upto 10 inches. Thus, the total length of one rat is near to 20 inches which is very big for a rat. The average weight of a rodent in the New York City is around 200 to 500 grams.
Are these Rats Dangerous?
Absolutely. The huge population of rats in the city is not just visually discomforting but can also cause various health risks. Hence, it becomes very important for the city to take measures to avoid putting risk to their health. Some of the major diseases that rats can spread are:
- Rat urine can cause the failure of liver and kidney. This disease is known as Leptospirosis.
- A rat bite can cause rat bite fever. Notably, it is not just a fever, but a serious illness. Therefore, people living in New York City and even the tourist should take proper measures to avoid a rat bite.
- These huge rats can also heighten the illness of Aastha and allergies, specially in children.
- The rat droppings and saliva are also very dangerous for human health. They can cause Hantavirus and Salmonella.
NYC Gov. – Strategies to Manage
Over the years that New York government has taken various measures to manage the problem of increasing rodent population in the city. Some of the main efforts taken by the government are:
- Operations to clean and control areas with high rate population
- The public is advised to see all the entry points and areas from where these rats can find a place to crawl and breed.
- If we talk about New York City government’s more targeted approach towards managing this problem, “Rat Czar” was appointed.
- Sealed garbage containers are preferred over open trash piles to avoid rat’s breeding and nesting in the trash.
- Use of dry ice to suffocate rats.
Tips for Residents to Avoid Rats in their Home
- Do not keep leftover food in open. Use air-tight containers.
- Seal all the cracks and holes.
- Do not take out the garbage in open garbage bags. Use containers with lid.
- Keep your house clean.
Conclusion
The rats in New York are not just another species living there, but they have become a part of everybody’s life. The visuals of huge rats are everywhere in the city. The tunnels, the subways, etc, every place is a home to these rodents. Moreover, the worst part of these rats is their size. The 20 inch long rats move and jump across the roads and subways, eventually causing discomfort to people living or travelling there. Furthermore, they are not just living there, but also causing various health problems. Therefore, by some strict measures and precautions, it is very important for people living in New York to manage this problem.
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