Why don't some people like rats?

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To go along with the "why don't people like cats" thread. Why don't people like rats? What is it? The tail? Their tails are actually soft, not slimy or scaly. I think they've gotten a bad rap from Hollywood portraying them as disgusting and evil. Did you know that film makers rub grease on them to make them look scraggly? Also they only show them for a few seconds because they'll just go off and clean themselves. Yes, rats are very clean animals, and cute and cuddly and affectionate. I suppose too many people believe what they they see in the media. So, what are some other reasons people don't like rats?

Because people associate rats with Republicans.

incontinence.

I would be willing to give rats a chance were I ever introduced to one. I think they're cute, at least as cute as squirrels. Mice as well. Hamsters, on the other hand, are evil little bastards.

Because of there tails, fat and hairless.

Black Death. 'Nuff said.

They are vermin.

LOL

There hasn't been a case of black death in ages, and anyway domesticated rats don't carry it anymore.

Because the people who dont like them are p*****s.

People are vermin. Look what we're doing to the planet and compare that to what rats have done. And people are smart enough to know when we're causing a big horrible mess and killing off other species! We're just too selfish to care. We have no excuse for the awful things we've done. Black death? Pfft. Our population needed culling.

I like rats.

I don't know about the domestic one but the ones running around in NYC are big and scary and have no fear of people

Yeah, I've seen lots of those in NYC, they are pretty freakin huge.

They don't live long enough. The record is about seven years old, not even half as long as the average cat.

I think it is mainly the misconception which is bred by the media / movies / TV / games where rats are always portrayed as nasty disease-ridden vermin. And most people just don't know the difference between wild rats and domesticated rats.

I agree with this. Viewing rats as vermin is short-sighted on the part of humans. If it weren't for the huge amount of waste and urban sprawl created by humans the rats wouldn't be there. We are invading nature, not the other way around. Of course the rats are going to do whatever they can to eat and live given the circumstances. Rat problems are the result of human problems (overpopulation).

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/plague.html

Sorry, that's wrong. Anyhow, NO rats
carry it - just insects.


Rats are the sweetest of all rodents though.