In keeping with the upcoming month-ending holiday, the week of October 20th through the 24th, WPC Daily will feature five creatures who have a reputation of being "scary." We will present facts that, hopefully, will dispel some myths and will invite you to vote for your favorite. The winning photo will be announced on Thursday, October 30, when all participants will be able to download a screensaver of the entire group in time to celebrate Halloween.

Creatures in Need of a Press Agent Week -- Candidate No. 1 - The Rat

Myth: You've seen one rat, you've seen them all.
Truth: There are many species of rats and most live in relatively remote places, far from human settlement. Two species, the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black or house rat (Rattus rattus) have almost exclusively shaped people's perceptions of rats. These two species are imports from Europe and live near people where food from agriculture and garbage are plentiful.

Myth: Rats are dirty and disease ridden.
Truth: Rats are actually meticulous groomers, "washing" themselves from head to toe four or five times a day and they are no more prone to disease than other animals in the wild.

Myth: There are too many rats in the world.
Truth: Again, the Norway and black rat are indeed numerous and widespread and do qualify as pests. However, other species are much less numerous, in fact, many are rare or even endangered across their ranges. The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) is an endangered animal in Pennsylvania where it lives on rocky slopes in the southcentral part of the state.

Myth: Rats are just plain creepy, beady eyes and all!
Truth: Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but if you ask any of the members of the 12 chapters of the Rat and Mouse Club of America, you would find that they adore these remarkably intelligent and adaptable animals.

Today's photo is of an Allegheny wood rat, which is a threatened species in Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Paul Koehler of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

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