Is There a Purpose for Rats? What Science (and Nature) Say
Rats: More Than Just Pests?
When most people think of rats, they think... gross. Disease carriers, garbage raiders, city sewer dwellers. But hang on a sec—what if rats actually serve real, important purposes in ecosystems and even human life?
Yeah, they might make you squirm, but turns out, rats are weirdly essential.
Ecological Role of Rats in Nature
Natural cleanup crew
Rats are scavengers by nature, which means they eat what others leave behind. Dead animals, spoiled fruits, rotting trash—you name it. It’s disgusting, yes, but it's also nature’s waste management system.
In many ecosystems, wild rats (especially species like the brown rat or black rat) help keep the environment clean by breaking down organic matter. Without them, we’d be up to our knees in decaying mess. Ew.
Prey for predators
Rats are also a key food source for a wide range of predators. Hawks, owls, snakes, foxes, and even some larger mammals rely on rodents to survive. If rats vanished tomorrow, a chunk of the food web would collapse.
It’s that classic “circle of life” thing—rats get eaten, predators survive, balance is maintained.
The (Surprising) Role of Rats in Science and Medicine
Lab rats = life-saving discoveries
Yes, those little white rats in labs? They’ve helped revolutionize modern medicine.
Vaccines, including for polio and hepatitis? Tested on rats.
Cancer treatments? Rats again.
Understanding genetics, brain function, addiction, aging? All thanks to lab rats.
They’re cheap to house, reproduce quickly, and share a high percentage of DNA with humans (more than you'd expect, honestly). Without them, medical research would be 50 years behind.
Of course, animal testing is a whole ethical debate—but the scientific contributions are undeniable.
PTSD, empathy, and psychology
In recent years, rats have been at the center of emotional and behavioral studies. One famous study showed rats freeing other trapped rats—suggesting they feel empathy.
Like… rats, with feelings? Yup. They’ve helped scientists study PTSD, stress, maternal bonding, and addiction in ways no machine could simulate.
Rats in Urban Ecosystems: Blessing and Curse
Okay, we’re not gonna lie—urban rats can be a nightmare. Think New York City subway rats. Or those bold little guys who raid restaurants at 3 a.m. That’s not cute, that’s gross.
But even in cities, they have a weird kind of role.
Indicators of sanitation and infrastructure
If there are a lot of rats? That usually means something in the city’s waste management or housing system is broken. In that sense, rats are like a warning signal: “Yo, fix your stuff.”
Human impact creates rat explosion
Rats thrive in places we make messy. We provide food, warmth, shelter... unintentionally. So in a twisted way, their population levels reflect our own habits.
Maybe the issue isn’t rats—it’s us.
Cultural and Historical Perspective
Let’s not forget: rats were worshipped in some cultures. In parts of India, rats are seen as sacred and protected in temples. In ancient China, the rat is the first zodiac sign, symbolizing cleverness and resourcefulness.
Even in fiction (hello, Ratatouille?), rats are reimagined as intelligent, even loveable.
Weird how perspective shifts, huh?
Final Thoughts: Do Rats Have a Purpose?
So, is there a purpose for rats? 100% yes.
They’re:
Vital parts of natural food chains
Nature’s decomposers
Unlikely heroes in medical science
Emotional models for psychological research
Urban “mess detectors”
Sure, they’re not cuddly for everyone (unless you're into pet rats—also a thing). But in the grand scheme of things, rats aren’t just nuisances. They’re survivors, helpers, and—whether we like it or not—necessary parts of life on Earth.
Maybe we don’t have to love them. But we should definitely respect them.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.