A peculiar phenomenon captivated Chicago in early 2024: a perfectly rat-shaped imprint in a sidewalk, seemingly left by a rodent sinking into wet concrete. Locals treated the spot as a pilgrimage site, tossing coins, cards, and even the notorious Malört liquor into the hole. However, recent research reveals the truth: the imprint wasn’t made by a rat at all.
The story gained traction quickly, with locals flocking to the site for curiosity and fun. The “rat hole” became a cultural landmark, drawing attention from media and residents alike. But what exactly left the impression?
A post-graduate researcher decided to investigate, measuring the imprint and running tests. The results? The imprint was too large to have been left by any rat species found in the region. The true creator of the rat hole remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: the iconic imprint wasn’t made by the creature everyone assumed.
The findings raise questions about how urban myths form and spread, even in the age of scientific inquiry. The “rat hole” serves as a reminder that not everything is as it appears, even in the most concrete of realities.
For the full story and more bizarre science facts, tune in to the “Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week” podcast. The show also covers other oddities, such as a retirement home for geriatric penguins in Boston and a shocking discovery of rats preying on bats mid-flight in Germany. These strange yet real occurrences highlight the unpredictable and often surreal nature of the world around us.
