Do rats have poison in their tails?

No, no, and no again ;) The belief that rats have poison (strychnine) in their tails is perhaps the most popular myth associated with rats. This question comes up quite often, but what is its origin? In this article, we will try to unravel this mystery and find out where the myth about poisonous rat tails came from.

Origins of the myth

The myth about poison in rat tails has its roots in ancient superstitions and folk beliefs. Already in the Middle Ages, it was believed that rats were carriers of diseases. At that time, they were attributed many negative traits, such as filthiness or plague. In reality, rats are capable of transmitting various diseases (no more than other animals or people), but the poison in the tail should be classified as a fairy tale.

Connection with strychnine

Strychnine is a potent poison derived from the Strychnos nux-vomica plant. In the past, it was used as rat poison. This may have led to the erroneous conclusion that the substance eaten by them accumulates in rat tails.

What science says

Science does not confirm the presence of poison in rat tails. A rat's tail serves important functions, such as maintaining balance or thermoregulation, but it does not contain any toxic substances.

In conclusion, the myth about poison in rat tails is the result of ancient superstitions and a mistaken understanding of the role of strychnine in combating these rodents. In reality, rats do not have poisonous tails, and science clearly debunks this myth. It is important to remember that myths of this kind can affect the perception of these animals and lead to unnecessary fears or inappropriate treatment.