Decoding the mystery of the 'Chicago rat hole' that once caused a stir on the internet

Scientists have stepped in to clarify the truth that the 'Chicago Rat Hole', a famous 'check-in' spot in the US, was not created by rats.

"Chicago Rat Hole" is not the "work" of a rat - Photo: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The “Chicago Rat Hole” is a footprint of what is believed to be an unlucky rat on the sidewalk in Chicago, Illinois, USA. No one knows where it originated, but locals have known about its existence for about 20-30 years.

In January 2024, writer Winslow Dumaine posted on X with photos of the "Chicago Rat Hole". This location quickly became famous after that, becoming a place to take "check-in" photos, even holding weddings for many people before being demolished in April 2025 due to damage.

Many internet users have speculated that the animal that left the mark was a rat, while others have speculated whether it survived the incident.

This has attracted the attention of Dr. Michael Granatosky, an ecologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Tennessee (USA), and colleagues, according to CNN on October 16.

The team compared anatomical markings found in the pit with eight compatible rodent species to try to identify the "victim," including a brown rat, house mouse, eastern gray squirrel, eastern chipmunk, muskrat, white-footed mouse, fox squirrel, and southern flying squirrel.

The discovery may surprise many people as the team believes that the "Chicago Rat Hole" was not created by rats.

“Our analysis does not show much evidence to support the hypothesis that the Chicago rat hole was created by a single brown rat ,” the team writes.

The forelimb prints in the pit were too long, and the third toe and hind foot were also too long to be rat-like, the team said.

Instead, the data suggested the tracks belonged to a larger-bodied rodent. Initial analysis helped the team narrow the species down to an eastern gray squirrel, muskrat, or fox squirrel.

After combining characteristics such as hind foot length, third toe on the foot, etc., the team concluded that the hole was the work of a squirrel, as squirrels typically have longer toes.

There is not enough information to conclude specifically what species of squirrel it is, but it is likely an Eastern gray squirrel given its prevalence in Chicago.

Additionally, according to the traces left in the pit, the team confirmed that the animal could not have survived this landing.

The study was published in the journal Biology Letters .

ANH THU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giai-ma-bi-an-ho-chuot-chicago-tung-gay-xon-xao-mang-20251017142228223.htm