Kentucky is practically my own backyard, but I don't pay much attention to it. Occasionally I'll venture across the Ohio River to visit the mall or the movie theater, but for the most part I'll stick to my state. There's a strange rivalry between Ohio and Kentucky, like neighboring schools, but what really do I know about it? I know about Kentucky blue grass, the Kentucky Derby, and a few less savory rumors.
Had I known about the rats, I might have ventured there more often. As it turns out,
Spalding University, in Louisville Kentucky, hosts an annual Rat Week, including a parade, contests, and the Running of the Rodents, a sort of parody/homage to the Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, I've missed the event for this year, but I'm definitely marking it on my calendar for next year.
Running of the RodentsLining up for the Rat Race in Louisville, Kentucky (1997)The Running of the Rodents (2005)
The rare Purple-Tailed Easter Rat
Purple Tailed Easter RatRattus Eastersaleus
Physical DescriptionThe Purple-Tailed Easter Rat is a plump rodent with an egg-shaped body, small, beady black eyes and a long, pointed snout with a bulbous black nose. It has a short, purple striped tail and matching stripes on the legs, and a pink flower-marking on one side. The Purple-Tailed Easter Rat has short, soft velvet fur.
HabitatKroger's after-holiday sale aisle, nestled in the "half-off" bin
CharacteristicsPurple-tailed Easter Rats are quite, calm animals that sleep most of the day but have been known to become active at night when everyone is asleep.
Every year on April 4th, Rat Lovers around the world celebrate World Rat Day. Some gather together for food and fun, others send cards, still others plan elaborate festivals complete with games and prizes.
I baked cookies. Armed with a card proclaiming "Happy World Rat Day!" I made my way to school and wandered the halls greeting everyone I saw and tempting them with cookies. Most were intrigued; a few thought I'd created the holiday myself, but I assured them, I did not.
World Rat Day was created five years ago by the
Ratlist mailing list as a way to both celebrate rats and inform others of their great attributes. The holiday has become very popular among rat fanciers and even
made the news back in 2006. To read more about World Rat Day, visit the
official website or join the
mailing list.
If anyone has any photos or stories to share,
e-mail me at sophielynette@yahoo.com and I'll post them on the next entry in the Rat Hunter Diaries!