Sweden, land of 'ratzilla'

[Malthus]

TBH I wonder a lot of the time if the human hatred of rats is because we recognize so many of our most basic qualities (omnivorous, all-encompassing diet, complex social behavior, ability to thrive in any environment no matter the extremity or uncleanliness) in them.  Besides being our neighbor, they are kind of spiritual kin.

I wonder if it could also be the fact that they invade our houses, piss and shit all over the place, and cause significant property damage.

Just like my sister in laws' kids. 

[Malthus]

Humans, pigs and rats rule.

If the OP rat were any larger, the Brain would ask it on a date. 

[Norgy]

Try having the plague a few times, Psellus. See if you still find rats amazing.

[Queequeg]

Try having the plague a few times, Psellus. See if you still find rats amazing.

Not the rat's fault it was a disease vector for humans.  I mean, people are a disease vector.  Do I hate people?

[Admiral Yi]

I would think that rats being a disease vector has a lot to do with their behavior.

[Malthus]

It is more the fact that they like the stuff people like and so try to invade human spaces to eat it that causes the trouble. Few people hate muskrats.

[Norgy]

The sole reason cats were domesticated was that they sought out human settlements. Not for tummy rubs and cuddles, but because there were rodents everywhere and any human settlement was a food basket for them.
Rats co-exist with humans, same as mice. That doesn't make them any more sanitary to have around.

[Iormlund]

My congratulations to the Clan Moulder breedmasters. Nice job.

[The Larch]

TBH I wonder a lot of the time if the human hatred of rats is because we recognize so many of our most basic qualities (omnivorous, all-encompassing diet, complex social behavior, ability to thrive in any environment no matter the extremity or uncleanliness) in them.  Besides being our neighbor, they are kind of spiritual kin.

No, it's because they are gross. You can't seriously think that.

[sbr]

TBH I wonder a lot of the time if the human hatred of rats is because we recognize so many of our most basic qualities (omnivorous, all-encompassing diet, complex social behavior, ability to thrive in any environment no matter the extremity or uncleanliness) in them.  Besides being our neighbor, they are kind of spiritual kin.

I wonder if it could also be the fact that they invade our houses, piss and shit all over the place, and cause significant property damage.

Just like my sister in laws' kids. 

[Razgovory]

Hatred of rats is a pretty peculiarly European, or at least Abrahamic thing.  In India there is Karni Mata temple, and it is a symbol of the zodiac in China. 

india "rat hunter" are a low caste for a reason. They dislike rats so much that those with contact with them are looked down upon.

The Chinese singled out rats for destruction during their four pests campaign.  People figured a long time ago that rats eat grain, and thus are a problem.

[PRC]

Not in Alberta they don't.

Yep, Alberta is rat free.  There was a report of one in Medicine Hat awhile back but it was brought to justice quickly.

[Ed Anger]

If they could only do that in Quebec to the frogs.

[garbon]

So are rats taking over?

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-overrun-by-mega-rats--6895494

Rats the size of cats spotted as numbers in Birmingham soar

Huge rats the size of cats are prowling Birmingham's streets.

City pest control officer Colin Watts revealed he had seen a 2ft rodent – which he said was as "wide as a brick" – on the loose.

Birmingham is battling a growing problem which saw more than 5,100 rat alerts recorded in the past year.

Calls over rats in city homes were up by almost 300 on the previous 12 months.

The worst three districts were Ladywood with 982 calls, Hodge Hill with 739 and Perry Barr with 707.

[Malthus]

Time to open a Birmingham Rataurant.