Stephen Dubner

And how big is New York's rat population?

And how big is New York's rat population?

And how big is New York's rat population?

I have seen an estimate by M&M Pest Control that puts the city's rat population at around 3 million. Do you think that's ballpark or no chance?

I have seen an estimate by M&M Pest Control that puts the city's rat population at around 3 million. Do you think that's ballpark or no chance?

I have seen an estimate by M&M Pest Control that puts the city's rat population at around 3 million. Do you think that's ballpark or no chance?

Now, let me go back to your official title, Director of Rodent Mitigation. Does that include squirrels, chipmunks, etc.?

Now, let me go back to your official title, Director of Rodent Mitigation. Does that include squirrels, chipmunks, etc.?

Now, let me go back to your official title, Director of Rodent Mitigation. Does that include squirrels, chipmunks, etc.?

How do you think about rats versus the other rodents that are sometimes a problem? Rats look like bigger mice, sort of. And then there are squirrels, which most people seem to think are really cute. And people feed squirrels outside. I've never seen anybody feeding a rat outside. But is a rat just a squirrel with less attractive body hair?

How do you think about rats versus the other rodents that are sometimes a problem? Rats look like bigger mice, sort of. And then there are squirrels, which most people seem to think are really cute. And people feed squirrels outside. I've never seen anybody feeding a rat outside. But is a rat just a squirrel with less attractive body hair?

How do you think about rats versus the other rodents that are sometimes a problem? Rats look like bigger mice, sort of. And then there are squirrels, which most people seem to think are really cute. And people feed squirrels outside. I've never seen anybody feeding a rat outside. But is a rat just a squirrel with less attractive body hair?

I mean, chipmunks always look pretty dumb to me. They're super cute, but they look dumb. Maybe I'm wrong.

I mean, chipmunks always look pretty dumb to me. They're super cute, but they look dumb. Maybe I'm wrong.

I mean, chipmunks always look pretty dumb to me. They're super cute, but they look dumb. Maybe I'm wrong.

Rats have been exploiting New York City's urban space for at least a few hundred years. The ancestors of today's rats are thought to have arrived in the 18th century on ships from Europe. But in the historical rat timeline, that is still relatively recent. Genetically, they date back to the time of dinosaurs.

Rats have been exploiting New York City's urban space for at least a few hundred years. The ancestors of today's rats are thought to have arrived in the 18th century on ships from Europe. But in the historical rat timeline, that is still relatively recent. Genetically, they date back to the time of dinosaurs.

Rats have been exploiting New York City's urban space for at least a few hundred years. The ancestors of today's rats are thought to have arrived in the 18th century on ships from Europe. But in the historical rat timeline, that is still relatively recent. Genetically, they date back to the time of dinosaurs.

Today, there are two main species, the black rat, Radus radus, which likely originated in India. And then the brown rat that we are familiar with, Rattus norvegicus, the Norway rat, even though it did not originate in Norway. So why is it called that?

Today, there are two main species, the black rat, Radus radus, which likely originated in India. And then the brown rat that we are familiar with, Rattus norvegicus, the Norway rat, even though it did not originate in Norway. So why is it called that?