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Title: Giant rat killed by pitchfork in Marcy Houses is believed to be Gambian pouched rat
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local ... houses_is_believed_to_be_.html
Published: Aug 26, 2011
Author: Barry Paddock, Mark Morales and Mike Jac
Post Date: 2011-08-26 13:57:38 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 397
Comments: 27
It sounds like an urban legend: giant mutant-looking rats roaming a city housing project. Only there's a picture. A photo making the rounds shows Housing Authority worker Jose Rivera minutes after he speared the humongous rodent with a pitchfork at the Marcy Houses. It's covered in white fur and looks well-fed. It appears to be about three feet long, including its hideously dangling tail. And Rivera, 48, says it's not the only one. He insists that while he was filling a rat hole last week, three came running out - but he was only able to nail one. "I hit it one time and it was still moving," Rivera said. "I hit it another time and that's when it died. I'm not scared of rats but I was scared of being bitten." Naomi Colon, head of the Marcy Houses Tenant Association, said there have been sightings of the outsize rat for at least six years. "The residents have told me that they've seen it running around with other rats. She lived with them. She ran into the same hole they ran in." Animal experts who viewed the picture identified the animal as a Gambian pouched rat, which is a fairly common pet rat. They're nocturnal, can grow to three feet and four pounds or more, and live seven or eight years. Imports have been banned since 2003, when they were blamed for a monkeypox outbreak that sickened 100 people in the United States. Dr. Paul Calle, director of zoological health at the Wildlife Conservation Society, said the Marcy Houses specimen was probably an escaped or discarded pet who decided to join the regular rat race. "They are a very social animal and live in big groups in the wild. Our Norway rats are the closest big rodents it could accompany," he said. They can even be trained to sniff out landmines or even tuberculosis. "They're pretty remarkable animals," Calle said. Tenants fear that the Gambian rat has been breeding with the Norway rats and spawning a super-breed of rodents - but zoo officials say not to worry. The imported rat probably wouldn't mate with local rats, and it couldn't reproduce if it did, because each is from a different genus, Calle said. Residents say that while the monster-sized rat may be the stuff of horror movies, the run-of-the-mill rats are an even bigger nightmare at the project where Jay-Z grew up. "Even the cats are afraid of the rats. They get together and gang up on the cats, said resident Stephanie Davis, 44. Pam Davis, 43, added, "They're here day and night. We don't dodge bullets. We dodge rats.They're so big, they should charge them rent." The New York City Housing Authority had no immediate comment.
Poster Comment: Now THAT's a rat!
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Poor thing was probably some little girl's beloved pet, till it snuck out and got away. Mine has a guinea pig, cutest little thing. It squeaks in an attempt to talk, and is super cuddly. A rat is just an animal that has been given a bad reputation since it has historically spread disease due to its living habitat out in the wild.
that has been given a bad reputation since it has historically spread disease and killed millions of people exterminate 'em
It is a violation of Natural Law to use this document in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Spreading diseases will earn a rodent a bad reputation.......lol
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
So have human beings... Thing is, the humans did it deliberately in many cases (if you include wars, although sometimes the disease WAS deliberate (ie. forced smallpox vaccinations, or deliberately spreading smallpox to the Native Americans by giving them infected blankets), whereas the rat didn't.
Spreading diseases will earn a human a bad reputation, unless those dastardly humans keep it out of the press and history books. Ignorance is a sure remedy for a bad reputation.....lol
" If you cannot govern yourself, you will be governed by assholes. " Randge, Poet de Forum, 1/11/11
It's be kind to fuzzy little rats day. O.K. I wish folks would stop bringing in all of these reptiles and mammals that don't have any business here. Like we don't have enough problems. Cheers, FL.
It is a violation of Natural Law to use this document in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. I would be more concerned about Pythons in Flahrda.
That's one of the reptiles I had in mind. Needs to be a fat bounty on them critters.
It is a violation of Natural Law to use this document in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. This is true and they do a very good job at it, better than dogs.
"You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day. It's great to be an American" - Sail Away by Randy Newman
For real?
And Anacondas, and green mambas, and monitor lizards and monkeys, parrots and who knows what else. The giant rats are here too. There is an established colony of at least 26 of these monsters on Grassy Key, but I saw one on Vaca Key (Marathon). Some guy was legally breeding them there, but somehow they all escaped. The cops think he did it on purpose but they can't prove it. Right now long bridges prevent the rats from spreading out of Grassy or Marathon, but one was caught in Islamorada. They're wily and hard to catch so it's probably just a matter of time till they spread to the mainland and wreak havoc on agriculture.
"You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day. It's great to be an American" - Sail Away by Randy Newman
There's a lot more meat on that thing than on the average squirrel.
Yep, mine dogs get bored easily if they don't find mines, the rats aren't as smart and have a longer attention span. When I was in one of the ex soviet republics a few years ago, some UN types were using the rats with good success.
"You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day. It's great to be an American" - Sail Away by Randy Newman
Yeah they have a population of African Rock Pythons breeding down there.
Yeah they have a population of African Rock Pythons breeding down there. That's an overblown issue. There are more common wild things in Flawda to be concerned about. Pigmy Rattlesnakes are the most common venomous snake in Florida, and is responsible for more snakebites than any other snake. They are hard to see and will bite without much provocation. I'm not concerned about pythons.
"The real deal is this: the ‘royalty’ controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
#2. To: FormerLurker (#1)
______________________________________________________
"It's a absurd insinuation."
#3. To: FormerLurker (#1)
bad reputation since it has historically spread disease
#4. To: randge (#2)
that has been given a bad reputation since it has historically spread disease and killed millions of people
"The real deal is this: the ‘royalty’ controlling the court, the ones with the power, the ones with the ability to make a difference, with the ability to change our course, the ones who will live in infamy if we pass the tipping points, are the captains of industry, CEOs in fossil fuel companies such as EXXON/Mobil, automobile manufacturers, utilities, all of the leaders who have placed short-term profit above the fate of the planet and the well-being of our children." - James Hansen
#5. To: FormerLurker (#4)
So have human beings...
#6. To: FormerLurker (#4)
______________________________________________________
"It's a absurd insinuation."
#7. To: randge, FormerLurker, abraxas (#6)
I wish folks would stop bringing in all of these reptiles and mammals that don't have any business here.
#8. To: Original_Intent (#7)
______________________________________________________
"It's a absurd insinuation."
#9. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
They can even be trained to sniff out landmines
#10. To: Flintlock (#9)
#11. To: Original_Intent, Jethro Tull (#7)
(Edited)
I would be more concerned about Pythons in Flahrda.
#12. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
can grow to three feet and four pounds or more
#13. To: Jethro Tull (#10)
For real?
#14. To: Original_Intent, randge, abraxas (#7)
I would be more concerned about Pythons in Flahrda.
#15. To: farmfriend, Original_Intent, randge, abraxas (#14)
I would be more concerned about Pythons in Flahrda.
Then there are alligators in most any body of water, rabid raccoons, feral hogs, and other native snakes.
Anyone offended by this post, click here.
 | "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." -Albert Camus. |
#16. To: randge, Critter (#8)
They're talkin' bad about you, tire buster.
Needs to be a fat bounty on them critters.
Mike Flaherty: Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner.
My Man Godfrey (
#17. To: Armadillo, farmfriend, randge, abraxas (#15)
You will be if you're ever wrapped in 20 feet of Rock Python. Hopefully no one lets loose any Reticulated Pythons a.k.a. Anacondas. Thirty-five to forty feet of snake is more than I want to imagine (although there are unofficial reports of snakes as large as 70 feet in upper Amazon Basin).
I'm not concerned about pythons.
#18. To: Original_Intent (#17)
Already in FL www.timesonline.co.uk/tol...ericas/article6991754.ece After hearing such stories and exploring a few of the Amazon's tributaries, ex President Teddy Roosevelt offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who produced proof of an anaconda 10m or longer. The reward has never been claimed. BTW I've seen skins of anacondas over 10m, but they were stretched.
Reticulated Pythons a.k.a. Anacondas.
unofficial reports of snakes as large as 70 feet in upper Amazon Basin).
"You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day. It's great to be an American" - Sail Away by Randy Newman
#19. To: Original_Intent, Armadillo, randge, abraxas (#17)
the Rock pythons are aggressive. They are worried about them interbreeding with the Burmese pythons which are not aggressive but grow very large. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/01/new-super-snake-python-hybrid-florida.php
You will be if you're ever wrapped in 20 feet of Rock Python. Hopefully no one lets loose any Reticulated Pythons a.k.a. Anacondas. Thirty-five to forty feet of snake is more than I want to imagine (although there are unofficial reports of snakes as large as 70 feet in upper Amazon Basin).
#20. To: Original_Intent, farmfriend (#17)
The chances of that happening are significantly less than being struck by lightning. Native pigmy rattlesnakes are something to be concerned about and watch for. There are significantly more of them.You will be if you're ever wrapped in 20 feet of Rock Python.
Sorry, I've got real things to worry about. Pythons are not one of them.
Dont believe all the hype you read in media. Invasive species are a problem, but not one to get all worked up over.
Pythons are not.
Anyone offended by this post, click here.
| "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." -Albert Camus. |
#21. To: Armadillo, Original_Intent (#20)
Oh I think both O_I and I understand the dangers of rattle snakes. My cousin was almost killed by one just this year. Mind you he has health issues that made it worse for him.
Native pigmy rattlesnakes are something to be concerned about and watch for. There are significantly more of them. Pythons are not.
#22. To: Flintlock (#18)
Thing is the upper Amazon, where the reports have come from, is very remote and has, even today, little contact with the outside world. Somehow I suspect the tribes up there have never even heard T. Roosevelt. That said, the reports are unconfirmed. Some have come from explorers and some from natives. Trying to catch, let alone skin or preserve, a snake that big is not a simple activity. One photo taken from the air by a Belgian pilot in the Congo in 1959 shows what appears to be a monster snake. PHOTO HERE Based on the known scale of the vegetation and such around it some estimates put its length at about 50-55 feet. The article I linked to is more conservative saying 40 to 50. Still, if confirmed, that would be the largest known and proven snake species. However, the unconfirmed reports suggest that the giant anaconda of the upper Amazon can reach as much 130 feet. However the data is shaky and is based on native legends and a very few explorer reports.
#23. To: farmfriend (#21)
Oh I think both O_I and I understand the dangers of rattle snakes. My cousin was almost killed by one just this year. Mind you he has health issues that made it worse for him. My parents were rock hounds and so I have spent a lot of time in Rattlesnake country. My dad carried a snake gun. However, despite all that time in snake territory the only run in we ever had with one I wasn't there to see. My little sister was playing down near the river, I was up the river fishing, and a snake crawled out of the rocks and was headed in her direction. My mom, who was nearby, reached over and levitated her out of there lifting her up, over her head, and then setting her down out of the way. Then she took a big rock and killed the snake. The only poisonous snake I've seen in the wild was a Cotton Mouth when I was Bass fishing on the Cooper River in South Carolina. I was dangling my feet over a cut out bank where it must have been laying. I got up after missing a strike, and the snake crawled out. Big sucker too - a good 8 feet.
Native pigmy rattlesnakes are something to be concerned about and watch for. There are significantly more of them. Pythons are not.
#24. To: Original_Intent (#23)
Lived all my life in the wilds of CA. Never once saw a rattler. I know they are heavy out at Folsom Lake but never saw any there either.
#25. To: farmfriend, Original_Intent (#21)
I'm sure. In all my hikes over many years, I have never seen a python nor do I expect to ever see one unless I visit the Everglades. Trust me, I'm a Floridian. ;)
Oh I think both O_I and I understand the dangers of rattle snakes.
My point being, I hike frequently and have had many close calls with snakes, mostly pigmy rattlers. So many close calls that I started wearing "snake guards" on my lower legs.
Now that I do nude hiking (until winter anyway) I no longer wear the snake guards. Snakes are always on my mind when hiking.
Rattlesnakes are a real concern. Pythons are not an issue, contrary to the media.
Anyone offended by this post, click here.
| "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." -Albert Camus. |
#26. To: Original_Intent (#22) (Edited)
I spent a respectable amount of time in the upper Amazon in Ecuador, doing expeditions/river trips in the jungle. Most of my trips occurred in the early 90's, before widespread oil production began, so the rivers were pristine and wildlife was abundant. Some rivers had reputations for big snakes others didn't. I remember passing one of the last huts by the road on the Tiputini river and being warned "Caution THE Anaconda", not the Anacondas. I was paddling a kayak loaded down in the water with supplies and a Indian helper, we were a perfect target for a huge snake, yet we saw nothing. I could go on and on about other trips I've made or the trips of people I personally knew/know, they all report the same, which is no giant snakes. The reward is well known and people, especially the military are always looking to cash in on it. I heard TR put the reward money in the bank where it has happily compounded for the last 90 years and is now worth over 100k. As for the tribes, except for a very small number of very small tribes that don't want contact, the rest have all been brought into the bosom of Heysus, where they abandoned their traditional ways and have been turned into groveling beggars. The Missionaries are all too happy to entice Indians into "Mission Villages" where the free rice and bibles flow like manna from heaven. That said, I pride myself on having made friends with one Indian who wouldn't drink the kool aid. People tell me he was the one who threw the first spear into (and killed) the Missionaries who landed there in the 1970's. We hit it off immediately ...lol Now, I have heard reliable stories of snakes around 30'. One was provided by a gringo diver who claims a 30' Anaconda swam by him underwater in the Amazon off Iquitos And another was an old Jaguar hunter in Bolivia who told me of a lagoon where the giant snakes live. The lagoon is only about 75 miles downriver from a small town and I've always wanted to go there to see for myself, but nobody wants to go with me.....lol Any takers?
Thing is the upper Amazon, where the reports have come from, is very remote and has, even today, little contact with the outside world
I suspect the tribes up there have never even heard T. Roosevelt.
"You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day. It's great to be an American" - Sail Away by Randy Newman
#27. To: Flintlock (#26)
I'd go, but then I've been accused of having too much curiosity. Hee, hee. There is a lot in the Amazon basin to see. Col. Fawcett tempted fate one too many times in trying to find out what was there. I still think is possible that the big snakes are there. Too many reports from too many different sources. I think it is likely that they are very rare. A predator of that size would need a very large hunting territory and so population density would be low. It may even be that the small population, at some point, dropped below the level needed for successful reproduction and that they have died off. However, while I can't point to the pictures on line I have seen drawings from early explorers that would seem to indicate snakes in at least the 60 to 70 foot range. We do know for sure that there are some giant species in the Amazon region - the Arrow Fish is a giant scaled freshwater fish that has been unofficially recorded up to around 17 feet and over half a ton. There are also reports of behemoth catfish as well. And it is likely there are other species. One report I read suggested that a new species is cataloged every 3 days. So, there is indirect evidence which suggests the possibility of other giant species. We do know that at the end of the last ice age that there were many different species of giant, by our current standards, animals as fossil remains have been found. And we do know that, at least in pre-history, giant snakes did exist because we have found fossil remains for them as well. So, I am going to remain open minded on it and keep it filed in the "Gray" file of interesting but unproved.
Any takers?
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