Imagine a quirky landmark that captures the imagination of an entire city, only to have its origins completely upended by science. That’s exactly what happened with Chicago’s infamous ‘rat hole,’ a sidewalk imprint that became a viral sensation. But here’s where it gets controversial: researchers now claim it wasn’t a rat at all—but likely a squirrel or muskrat. Let’s dive into this fascinating tale of urban folklore and scientific sleuthing.
Chicago’s ‘rat hole’ isn’t your typical tourist attraction. Located in the Roscoe Village neighborhood, this peculiar landmark gained fame after comedian Winslow Dumaine shared a photo of it on social media in early 2023. The image revealed a striking full-body impression in the sidewalk, resembling a spread-eagled rat, complete with what looked like tiny claws, limbs, and even a tail. Overnight, it became a pilgrimage site, with fans leaving coins, trinkets, and other offerings as tributes. And this is the part most people miss: the story behind the imprint is far stranger than anyone initially thought.
For years, locals and visitors alike assumed the imprint was the unfortunate result of a rat trapped in wet cement decades ago. But a recent study published in Biology Letters by researchers from the University of Tennessee, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the University of Calgary has turned this narrative on its head. After analyzing online photos and comparing measurements to museum specimens, they concluded the creature was too large to be a rat. Instead, the evidence points to a squirrel or muskrat as the likely culprit.
Here’s the science behind it: the imprint’s long forelimbs, hind paws, and claw outlines ruled out birds, snakes, frogs, and turtles, narrowing it down to mammals. Further analysis eliminated mice and chipmunks, leaving squirrels and muskrats as the most plausible candidates. The Eastern gray squirrel, abundant in Chicago, emerged as the top suspect. The study also noted that rats are nocturnal, and the lack of tracks around the imprint suggests a diurnal animal like a squirrel might have misjudged a leap or slipped into the wet cement.
Bold claim alert: the researchers propose renaming the landmark the ‘Windy City Sidewalk Squirrel,’ a title they argue is more accurate and evidence-based. But not everyone is convinced. Some locals are clinging to the rat narrative, while others are intrigued by the new theory. What do you think? Is it time to embrace the squirrel story, or does the rat legend hold a special place in Chicago’s heart?
The ‘rat hole’ saga took another turn in April 2024 when, after complaints from neighbors about the constant foot traffic, someone filled the imprint with plaster. Devoted fans promptly dug it out, but city officials eventually removed the entire slab of sidewalk, relocating it to the City Hall-County Building for preservation. A plaque now marks the original site, ensuring the story lives on.
This quirky tale raises thought-provoking questions about urban legends, the power of storytelling, and how science can challenge our assumptions. Here’s a question for you: Does it matter if the creature wasn’t a rat? Or is the charm of the landmark in its mystery, regardless of the truth? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this bizarre yet captivating piece of Chicago history.
