Imagine stumbling upon a mysterious sidewalk imprint that sparks a viral sensation, only to discover it’s not what everyone thought. Chicago’s infamous ‘rat hole’ might not be the work of a rat at all. Yes, you read that right! Researchers have dug deeper into this quirky landmark, and their findings are turning heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: the culprit behind this peculiar imprint might actually be a squirrel or a muskrat. Let’s dive into the story that’s rewriting Chicago’s urban folklore.
The ‘rat hole’ first grabbed national attention early last year when comedian Winslow Dumaine shared a photo of it on social media. Overnight, it became a pilgrimage site for curious tourists, some even leaving coins and trinkets as tributes. But the constant foot traffic wasn’t music to the ears of local residents, who eventually complained. By April 2024, someone took matters into their own hands and filled the imprint with plaster, prompting city officials to remove the entire slab and relocate it to the City Hall-County Building. A plaque now marks the spot, keeping the legend alive.
Here’s the part most people miss: the imprint isn’t just a random shape. It’s a full-body impression of a small animal that got trapped in wet cement decades ago in the Roscoe Village neighborhood. The details are strikingly clear—tiny claws, arms, legs, and even a tail. But is it really a rat? Researchers from the University of Tennessee, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the University of Calgary say no. In a study published in Biology Letters, they argue that the measurements and features of the imprint align more closely with a squirrel or muskrat.
How did they reach this conclusion? By comparing online photos of the imprint with museum specimens of animals common to the Chicago area. Birds, snakes, frogs, and turtles were quickly ruled out due to the presence of limbs and a tail. The claw outlines further narrowed the suspects to rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and muskrats. However, the creature’s long forelimbs, hind paws, and third digits were too large for a rat, pointing instead to an Eastern gray squirrel or muskrat. Given the abundance of Eastern gray squirrels in Chicago, the researchers believe this is the most likely candidate.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: the study notes that rats are nocturnal, and the imprint shows no signs of struggle or tracks leading to it. This suggests the animal might have been active during the day—hello, squirrels!—and possibly misjudged a leap or slipped from a tree branch into the wet cement. While the imprint lacks a bushy tail, the researchers explain that hair often doesn’t leave deep, well-defined impressions, making its absence less surprising.
Boldly, the researchers propose renaming the landmark the ‘Windy City Sidewalk Squirrel,’ a title they argue is more accurate and evidence-based. But here’s the question: does this reinterpretation take the charm out of the original story, or does it add a layer of scientific intrigue? What do you think? Is the ‘rat hole’ better left as a rat tale, or should we embrace the squirrel theory? Let’s spark a debate in the comments—your take could be the next viral twist in this urban legend!
