Are UK Super Rats A Myth Or Fact?
Is there such a thing as UK super rats or is this simply an urban legend? Most urbanites have heard the tales of these fabled rats. These types of stories are mostly spread by tabloid newspapers and websites. You may have noticed that from time to time they will run scare stories involving UK super rats.
These London rats are said to roam the sewers beneath our cities, where they grow to enormous sizes. They are described as being bigger than dogs or cats and have super-natural abilities. For example, we once read about rats that could scale vertical walls. They are even said by some dubious sources to be highly dangerous and capable of killing grown men. But is any of these true and should you be afraid?
Should you be afraid of UK super rats?
The answer is yes and no. You see, most of the stories you may of heard are just that… stories. UK super rats only exist in the imaginations of tabloid journalists. First of all, most rats do not grow past a certain size. The most common rat found in the UK is the brown or Norwegian rat. These rats do not grow beyond 40cm in length.
This may sound alarming, but keep in mind that this includes their tail. No, these rats do not grow longer than this. They also do not weigh more than 500g. This is about the size of a block of butter, so you really do not have to be afraid.
What you also have to remember is that a rat’s ability to grow is mostly limited by the food it eats. The rats in the UK are scavengers and spend most of their time looking for food. Basically, there are limits to the food they can get, and this also limits their size. Even in laboratory settings, where food is virtually unlimited, rats do not grow beyond 40cm. Also, rats do not have super-natural abilities. We’ve worked in this business for years and have never encountered anything out of the ordinary.
What you should know about rats
That being said, there are a few things you should bear in mind. First of all, full grown rats can get quite large and can cause structural damage. Most people will never encounter a full-grown rat, and if you do it can be unsettling. Another thing to consider is this.
The scariest thing about rats isn’t there size or so-called abilities, it’s the fact that they spread deadly diseases. These diseases can be fatal or at least serious, and this is why rats should never be approached or handled. You also have to take their teeth into account, which they can chew wires with. Rats have teeth which can gnaw through concrete and even wire, and this is what really makes them terrifying. The bottom line is that super rats do not exist, but you should in general be wary of rats.