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Explore the fascinating world of animal cognition and sensory perception in this captivating video.
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00:00So, this woman was peacefully finishing her fancy lunch with friends in Chelsea
00:04when she spotted they weren't alone at their table.
00:07There was a sewer rat.
00:09Hey, welcome to New York.
00:11Brooklyn alone houses over a million rats.
00:13Even luxurious Manhattan is swarming with around 500,000 of them.
00:19Overall, around 3 million gray critters are currently munching on the Big Apple.
00:24Oh, rats!
00:25There used to be untouched land patches that were home to these animals.
00:28But with development and construction, they were forced to move into cities and suburbs.
00:33It's one of the reasons why the rat population in NYC grew by 800% over the last 65 years.
00:42Not only may rats be gross, but they're also seriously dangerous.
00:46According to estimates, rats are to blame for 40-60% of all bird and reptile extinction.
00:52They're now after people.
00:54In 2021, 14 New Yorkers were diagnosed with conditions caused by pathogens transmitted
01:00by rats, with one of them sadly passing away due to that.
01:04Back in the 50s, there were only about 250,000 brown rats in New York.
01:09In 2015, it was already 2 million, and today, it's 1 million more.
01:14These long-tailed New Yorkers have been roaming the city since the 18th century.
01:19Rats embarked on ships in Europe and traveled visa-free to the states.
01:24Their first stop was supposedly New York City, and they firmly settled down there.
01:28The brown rats' lifespan may not be long, only around 2 years.
01:32But these creatures are ready to reproduce when they reach the age of 2 months.
01:37It only takes them 2 seconds to mate, and they normally give birth to 8-10 little ones.
01:42Plus, they can have litters around 6 times each year.
01:46Well, I'll do the math for you.
01:48It means that one single rat can recreate 120 new rats.
01:52So, this lightning-speed breeding is another reason for the current infestation.
01:58Unfortunately, these critters aren't as adorable as Remy from Ratatouille.
02:02They can fight one another, and some of them have missing parts of their tails and eyes.
02:07And they've got extremely sharp and hard teeth.
02:10Rats can even gnaw through the concrete walls of our houses and destroy our cars with their bites.
02:15Their teeth are 5.5 on Moore's scale, which means they're harder than steel and can even be compared to
02:22an actual knife.
02:23They're also great escape artists.
02:26Rats can jump 4 feet across and 3 feet high.
02:29And their dugouts normally have 3 exits, the main one and 2 just-in-case ones, which makes them pretty
02:35hard to catch.
02:36However, seems like one rat didn't escape, causing the Chicago rat hole.
02:41It started attracting turrets after a tweet by a comedian went viral in January 2024.
02:47The hole was eventually filled in, but later restored by a local.
02:51There is a slight chance it might have been a squirrel, but the mass media insists it was indeed the
02:57rat.
02:57Still, it's not unusual that notorious rat stories appeared in New York City headlines.
03:03The first time was in 1860.
03:05And 5 years later, the New York Times mentioned that the Big Apple was already getting a notorious reputation
03:11for having more rats than any other city in the Union.
03:17In 1893, electric trolleys burst onto the scene, kicking those old horse-drawn ones to the curb.
03:24So, rats had to bounce from their cozy stables, where they'd been chowing down on grains, and set their sights
03:30on human residences.
03:32It didn't take long for these furry troublemakers to make a beeline for Rikers Island, which was turned into a
03:37dumping ground in 1894.
03:40Rats even had the audacity to feast on fresh veggies, pigs, and other farm animals at the farm that sprouted
03:47on the island later on.
03:48Fast forward to the 1930s, when these adventurous rats grew some courage and started swimming to other parts of New
03:55York,
03:56even finding their way to the fancy neighborhoods of Long Island.
04:00But the real panic started in 1997, when estimates claimed there were 28 million rats in New York.
04:07That was a bit far-fetched.
04:09But the real number today looks horrifying either way.
04:12Still, even taking into account all those rat superpowers, it might not be very clear why their population has grown
04:19that much.
04:20The answer can be found in almost any supermarket.
04:23And it's a simple plastic bag.
04:26They got popular in the 50s.
04:28And in 1971, the city introduced plastic trash bags.
04:32Before, there used to be metal cans for waste that were pretty hard to get in.
04:36But with the appearance of plastic bags, which were super easy to gnaw through, all the trash out there became
04:42way more accessible for rats.
04:45Plus, a little rat doesn't need much food.
04:47Just an ounce a day will do.
04:49So, they were well provided.
04:53Climate change took its toll, too.
04:55Even though rats do not hibernate in winter, a cold climate would slow down their reproductive cycles.
05:01However, with warmer temperatures, it got much easier for them to breathe, even in the winter.
05:07But New York City is really stepping up its game this year.
05:10The authorities made some cruel changes to prevent garbage from just chilling out on the streets for hours on end.
05:16They've tweaked their trash takeout times for both businesses and residents.
05:20But that's not all.
05:22Now, the Big Apple has also put some rules in place for all food-related spots in town, which is
05:27around 40,000 bodegas, restaurants, delis, and grocery stores.
05:32Now, they have to dispose of their food waste in secure containers instead of just tossing it in flimsy trash
05:38bags on the street.
05:39And in Washington, D.C., the authorities allocated $3.4 million for 2024 to start replacing those old bins with
05:48newer and bigger ones.
05:49In 2022, New York City tried to recruit a rat czar, someone that would be in charge of rodent migration,
05:56offering up to $170,000 for the job.
06:00The next year, Kathleen Karate was appointed to this position.
06:06Now, you may live in the best neighborhood, but there's no guarantee you won't have rats in your house.
06:11If you disagree to have such roommates, there are actions you can take in order to prevent this co-living
06:18from happening.
06:19First, check your foundation for holes and cracks and seal them if you spot any.
06:24Second, you're going to need some mesh netting.
06:27Place it around all the utility openings that enter your home.
06:30These may be gas pipes, electrical boxes, and dryer exhausts.
06:34Also, if you live in a house and not an apartment, such a harmless thing as vegetation may also attract
06:41unwanted guests.
06:42So, your shrubbery should be well-trimmed.
06:45Otherwise, it risks becoming a bridge for rats, and they'll have access to your house.
06:50There are also other things exterminators can do to prevent rat infestations.
06:55For example, they sometimes may add glass to concrete when patching holes.
07:00But experts say the most effective method to keep rodents at bay is to not share food with them, even
07:06unwillingly.
07:07It's easy to say, but in New York City, there's trash lined up in the streets sometimes.
07:12So rats always have access to food.
07:16However, if these critters don't have easily accessible food, they'll just look for it somewhere else.
07:24And it's not just New York City.
07:26Furry critters are causing havoc all over the world.
07:29And New Zealand has decided to take on rats in a serious way.
07:33They created the Predator Free 2050 program aimed at not only kicking out rats,
07:39but also putting an end to other pesky invaders like possums and stoats.
07:44Big cities across the world are implementing measures to curb the rat population,
07:48such as changing trash disposal practices and securing food waste containers.
07:54But the problem persists.
07:56Rats can squeeze in spaces as thin as a pencil.
07:59As long as their skull fits in, they can squeeze in anywhere.
08:02So don't throw away garbage if your bin can't be properly sealed.
08:07Also, make sure the bins are clean, as rats are attracted to smells.
08:11If the bins in your neighborhood are dirty, contact the authorities.
08:14And if yours are dirty, better clean it up.
08:17Otherwise, someone might rat you out.
08:23Look at this funky African crested rat.
08:26Aw, it looks so cute.
08:28Well, think again.
08:29It's got an ace up its sleeve.
08:31Poison!
08:32In fact, the only known toxic rodents in the world are these maned rats.
08:37When they're feeling cornered, they puff up their fur and show off black and white racing stripes.
08:43Right in the center of this, there are a bunch of special brown hairs with a honeycomb-like texture.
08:49These hairs aren't just for show.
08:51They're loaded with a poison so strong it could bring an elephant down.
08:56These rats use this as a chemical armor to stay safe from predators like hyenas and wild dogs.
09:03East Africa has known about the crested rat's toxic mojo for ages.
09:08In 2011, researchers discovered that rats get toxins from a certain tree.
09:14Only one crested rat in captivity was caught doing this poison ritual, and some thought it might have been a
09:21one-time thing.
09:22Yet, researchers kept observing.
09:24The team had 25 rats.
09:27They filmed them in the lab and proved that it was not a one-time thing.
09:32Even though we know they're tough, these rats apparently have soft spots.
09:37Some of them might be into monogamy and even share parenting duties.
09:42Monogamy is rare in the animal world, but these rats are doing it.
09:46That's pretty exciting.
09:48Researchers say that they need to do more research to confirm the rodent's family values.
09:54The next one on the list is the slow loris.
09:58This creature seems to be the epitome of cuteness, with its tiny size and big eyes.
10:04But these animals are not your typical cuddly pals.
10:07In fact, they're the only venomous primates on the planet.
10:11They live in the rainforests of South and Southeast Asia.
10:15You might be wondering why they're called slow lorises.
10:19When explorers first met them in the 18th century, they thought these little guys were as slow as sloths.
10:26Sure, they can stay put for hours and move slowly.
10:29But don't be fooled.
10:30They can hurry when they need to.
10:33If you look closely, you'll notice a raised bald patch on their inner upper arms.
10:38That's their brachial gland, and it secretes a seriously stinky oil.
10:43When lorises feel threatened, they lick the gland, mixing their saliva and oil to create a venomous solution.
10:51When they bite another animal, this venom gets into the enemy's bloodstream.
10:57The bite is pretty nasty.
10:59It can exterminate small animals and insects and cause serious issues even in humans.
11:05Suddenly, those big eyes don't seem so innocent.
11:08In the world of slow lorises, males fight for females.
11:12Females fight to protect their little ones.
11:15And everyone fights to defend their turf.
11:18That venom comes in handy during these showdowns too.
11:21Here, moms use their venom cleverly.
11:24Before heading out to grab some snacks, they lick their brachial glands and groom their babies.
11:30This transfers the venom to the little one's fur, acting as a warning sign for potential predators.
11:37The next animal is the sand cat.
11:40Meow.
11:41This cat species lives in the desert.
11:43Unlike other cats, they call the desert's harsh environment their home.
11:48First off, they've got the ultimate footwear for the desert runway.
11:52Thick fur on their paws, even between their toes.
11:57They also have built-in insulation against the crazy temperature swings.
12:01From 124 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to 31 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
12:08They even grow winter coats with hair up to 2 inches long.
12:14Sand cats can go weeks without drinking a single drop of water.
12:17They get all the moisture they need from the prey they munch on.
12:22When it comes to hunting, these seemingly cute sand cats unleash their inner predators.
12:28Forget the adorable kitten vibes.
12:30These guys are fierce.
12:32They're not picky eaters either, snacking on small rodents, birds, or insects.
12:38Oh, and they even go after venomous vipers.
12:42Plus, if they score more than they can munch on, they hide the extra food in the sand for a
12:47midnight snack.
12:49Their secret weapon is super-sensitive hearing.
12:53They don't leave paw prints, and they don't make noise when they approach their prey.
12:59Meet cone snails, sea snails with a twist.
13:03They have vibrant, colorful patterns decorating the surface of their shells.
13:07They're not just cool-looking, they too pack some serious venom.
13:13Armed with a modified radula tooth and a venom gland, cone snails are the sea's skilled hunters.
13:20They use this harpoon-like tooth to launch a venomous attack on their prey, paralyzing it before eating.
13:27Speaking of venom, cone snail venoms are like a cocktail.
13:32They contain a mix of toxins with different effects.
13:36Some of the bigger cone snails can deliver a sting that's not just serious, but even fatal to humans.
13:42Yet their venom helps us with certain medical issues.
13:46The fifth cute but dangerous animal is the millipede.
13:51These critters sport two pairs of jointed legs on most of their body segments.
13:56Each of those double-legged segments consists of two single segments teaming up.
14:02Imagine a crew with elongated cylindrical or flattened bodies, usually boasting more than 20 segments.
14:09But pill millipedes are the shorter rebels in the gang.
14:13It allows them to roll into a tight ball.
14:16In 2021, a new species was discovered that had over 1,300 legs.
14:24If you dive into the millipede world, you'll find around 12,000 different species.
14:30Many of them are generally harmless to humans.
14:33But beware.
14:35Some might pull pranks in your house or garden.
14:38The sixth animal is the hooded patooey.
14:42It's a bird found in New Guinea.
14:44This bird stands out as one of the few known poisonous birds with toxins in its skin, feathers, and tissues.
14:52The poison comes from its diet.
14:55It serves as a defense against predators and parasites.
14:58Interestingly, its resemblance to other poisonous patooey is an example of convergent evolution,
15:05where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.
15:11In this case, different poisonous patooey independently developed similar characteristics as a form of protection.
15:19The hooded patooey has Mullerian mimicry, too.
15:23It's a phenomenon where harmful or poisonous species evolve to resemble one another.
15:28In simpler terms, it's like a group of toxic friends dressing similarly so everyone knows they should be avoided.
15:36Additionally, non-poisonous species imitate the appearance of the hooded patooey in a phenomenon known as Batesian mimicry.
15:44This is when harmless or less harmful species evolve to resemble a more dangerous or toxic species to gain protection
15:52from predators.
15:53In this case, other birds copy the look of the hooded patooey, even though they lack the same toxic defenses.
16:00So in this case, a harmless bird dresses up in a poisonous costume to ward off potential threats.
16:09Platypuses look adorable with their thick fur and duck-like bills, but you don't want to mess with them either.
16:15Especially in the late winter, when male platypuses get a bit feisty.
16:19They fight for females and use vicious spurs on their feet that inject venom during the brawl.
16:25In 1801, one biologist thought the spurs were for keeping females in check during mating.
16:38Late winter, though, is a different story.
16:41Males fight injecting venom and losers get paralyzed.
16:46There have been cases of these animals attacking humans.
16:49Luckily, none of them were fatal.
16:51If a platypus decides to stab you, even morphine won't ease the effects.
16:57Doctors might need to remove the spurs from your wound manually.
17:01Ouch!
17:03Watch out for pufferfish as well.
17:05They may be cute, but they're the second most poisonous vertebrates in the world.
17:10Their liver, eyes, and sometimes their skin contain tetratotoxin.
17:14This is a substance that makes them taste awful and can be lethal to fish.
17:19This substance is also a serious threat to us.
17:22It's up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide.
17:27A single pufferfish has enough toxin to take out 30 grown-ups, and there's no known antidote.
17:34Despite this danger, some people in Japan consider pufferfish meat a delicacy called fugu.
17:41Trained chefs are well aware that one wrong move could result in the worst-case scenario for a customer.
17:47That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
17:51That's why not all chefs are allowed to prepare this dish.
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