Is rat safe to eat? In what countries do they eat rats?Theseare questions that we've seen pop up a lot lately, especially with the possible origins of the currentCOVID-19 pandemicstemming from the consumption of bamboo rats in Wuhan, China.
But that's not the only place in the world where rat is on the menu.In many places around the globe, rat provides much-needed sustenance. You might be surprised to learn that as long as it isn't diseased, rat isn't the worst thing you could put in your body (from a nutrition standpoint).
According to Neurostew, the nutritional value of a rat is heartier than you would think.An average rat, coming in at about300g, contains a surprising amount of calories at 648. In addition, it contains about 63g of protein and 33g of fat.Neurostew compares this to 300g of lamb shoulder, interestingly lamb shoulder only provides 402 Calories, 61g of protein, and fewer grams of fat at only 16.
While many of us consider rats to be pests and vermin, in some parts of the world they are a regular item on the menu. In many cases, this is a way of life and tradition that has been handed down for generations. While the ratsthat people eat can be different species and come from different sources, typically they are wild animals caught specificallyfor food. People use a variety oftrapsto catch them, but never poison, as that would contaminate the meat and make it inedible.
Rat Meat For Sale
Rat is a common food in many places in the world and many Asian countries in particular. One reason for this is because they are plentiful and generally easy to come by, so they make a good source of protein for people of all economic levels.
Aspecific reason for their popularity in Asiastems fromthe rat's affection for rice. Rice is a mainstay food staple in a vast majority of east and southeast Asian countries, it is also grown agriculturally inlarge quantities. Rats love to get into the rice fields and eat as much as they can. This diet of rice and a relatively clean environment makes these rodents reasonably wholesome and safe to eat. According to many who eat them, this also makes them plump, tender, and delicious.
The problem with buying rat meat from the market is that there is no way to tell just whereit may havecome from. It might be a nice, chubby rat from a clean rice field, but it might also be a rat that has grown fat on garbage while living in city sewers. It is up to thecustomer to try to determine just what they’re buying.
So what countries eat rats? There are more than you would think as it is a viable and plentiful food source in places where a supermarket might not be right around the corner.
Sign-up to receive the latest information from Automatic Trap including discounts and flash sales!
United States🇺🇸
Surprised by the first country on our list? Although most people across the United States have never eaten rat, it is a common practice for bushcraft survivalists to learn how to catch and prepare rat. EvenMousetrap Monday'sShawn Woods has demonstrated how to catch and prepare rat in a survival situation in his video "Cooking and Eating Rats"(WARNING: VIDEO IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH)
A quick Google search can also return results for American rat recipes such asRat Jerkyfrom Yuri Hart and Robert Pugh. See below:
Additionally, it is made into a stew in at least one part of the country. The state of West Virginia offers arat stewas an example of traditional local cuisine. The cleaned, skinned animals are cut up and dropped into a bubbling broth along with wild onions, garlic, and other local vegetables and served at gatherings or as a family dinner. Although it’s not big with everybody in the state, rat stew still finds its way onto West Virginia dinner tables from time to time.
Mexico 🇲🇽
Rat meat and in particularMexicanrat stewis a local tradition in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. Caldo de rata is a traditional stewthat has been served there since colonial times. Many people even believe that it can act as a cure-all and help treat ailments like diabetes, the flu, cough and even according to some older men, increase one's virility.
It is less popular with the younger generations as the dish began to fall out of favor, but saw a bit of a comeback as many consider it part of the region's heritage and something to be proud of.The soup consists of rat meat and hearty vegetables andis seasoned with oregano. It is served commonly at restaurants and bars and is referred to locally as a hangover cure.
Zacatecas, Mexico
China🇨🇳
China is a big consumer of rat meat. It is commonly sold raw in Chinese meat markets, and can also be purchased cooked from various shops and street vendors. Some of the markets in China also offer live rats for sale. Buyers can then have the vendor kill and prepare the rat for cooking, or they can take their dinner home while it’s still alive.
Rat meat is offered for sale alongside many other kinds of animals in China’s meat markets. Bats are common, as are snakes, but interested buyers can find almost any kind of meat they want if they go to the right place. Exotic markets carry many kinds of meats you would never find at a shop in the United States.
Rat is prepared in various ways in China. This is partly a matter of personal taste and partly a matter of how many people it must feed. Grilled or barbecued rat is common and is a favorite with many. The rat will be gutted and skinned and then cooked over an open fire, usually with some type of sauce or seasonings applied. Cooked rat is frequently spitted on a long bamboo spear and sold by street vendors for people to eat as they walk.
Some people in China prefer to eat baby rat meat, and they will even eat them alive after dipping them into a sauce to add a favorite flavor. While this practice is not common throughout the Chinese population, it is done by some. Often restaurants specialize in this dish, as they will have rat pupson hand for just this purpose. Chinese meat markets don’t usually havepupson hand, so people wanting to indulge in this kind of a meal have to go elsewhere for their food. This is not advised as the risks of raw meat consumption, especially in rats, could be teeming with bacterial and viral threats.
Another way that the Chinese eat these animals is by cooking them in a stew. There they may be added to other types of meat and vegetables. Everything is cooked until it is tender and then eaten along with the gravy created by cooking.
Thailand🇹🇭, Vietnam 🇻🇳, and Taiwan🇹🇼
Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan are other southeast Asian countries like Laos,Cambodiaetc... are places where rats are on the menu. In some places, they are trappedand then kept caged until they are sold, but it is also quite common to see people selling cooked rats by the side of a main road that is outside the city limits. Not surprisingly, many roadside stands that sell cooked rat meat are set alongside large rice fields, so it is easy to replenish the supply when the pile of critters runs low.
People frequently buy several of these rodents to take home to eat, often as the main dish in a family meal. They are also sold by street vendors, as in China, as cooked rat skewered on a stick so that it can be carried and eaten easily.
India🇮🇳
The rat is the centerpiece of a festival menu in one part of northern India, where theAdi tribecelebrates a holiday each year by feasting on a special rat stew. Found in the southern Himilayas, this stew is something that the people there love but that people in other parts of the world might struggle to consume. It contains many rat parts boiled in a big pot and includes the liver, stomach, testes, intestines, fetuses, legs, and tails. Ginger, salt, and chili are added for flavoring. Additionally, rat meat is part of their regular diet as brown rats, house mice or any small rodents they can trap are consumed regularly and roasted or smoked.
People in this part of India claim this stew, and rat meat, in general, is some of the tastiest food one could imagine. They don’t eat it because they have to, they eat it because they want to. Apart from the festival time rat is also consumed by the Adis and by people in many parts of India as a good source of protein.
Australia🇦🇺
Rat is a common part of their diet for many of the Aboriginal people in Australia. The cooked rats are typically held over a fire on a stick or spit, but they may also be stewed along with vegetables and sometimes other kinds of meat as well.
New Zealand🇳🇿Polynesia🌴⛵
One country where the rat was consumed traditionally is New Zealand. The Kiore, as it was known to Māori was brought to the island through canoe travelers traversing the Pacific.TheMāori, often preserved the Polynesian rat in different types of fat and reserved them for special occasions such as a feast.
Similarly, many rat bones and other evidence of people dining on rat meat has been found throughout Polynesia’s historical sites.
Europe🇪🇺
Many countries in Europe, historically consumed rat meat as a part of their normal diet. In parts of Europe people sometimes ate rat pie. This was reported to have been a treat for the rich of France and England and was not consumed by the common folk.
In the wineries of France, the rats that lived in the wine cellars ate grapes and drank spilled wine. These were considered to be extra tasty and were much-desired as additions to the menu. They were usually cooked over open flames made from old wine barrels and enjoyed on the spot.
Different Food In Different Places
Not everybody enjoys eating rats, but the people who do claim the meat is delicious. Tender and tasty, rat meat is usually easy to come by and is a way to add protein to almost any diet. People who enjoy eating rodents advise others to try rat before deciding it isn’t good to eat. It may turn out to be a surprise hit at dinner.
FAQs
China is a big consumer of rat meat. It is commonly sold raw in Chinese meat markets, and can also be purchased cooked from various shops and street vendors. Some of the markets in China also offer live rats for sale.
What do rats taste like? ›
Steamed rats are said to have a stronger taste, and bigger rats are thought to be simply better eating. “Foreigners who try rodent meat often say it tastes like chicken, but it is a dark meat and has a gamier taste than chicken. I equate the taste to that of rabbit,” Singleton says.
Do they eat rats in Thailand? ›
Rat meat has been eaten in some of Thailand's poorer regions for years. But it is now becoming a delicacy which can cost even more than chicken or pork.
Why do they eat rats in China? ›
According to Ginn, rats are most commonly eaten in Asia because of the rice crop. In areas where rats feed off rice paddies rather than garbage, the rodents are considered safer to eat.
In what countries do they eat rats? ›
Rats are eaten regularly in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China and Vietnam, says Grant Singleton, from the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.
What is rat meat called? ›
Ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer) meat is eaten in Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Cambodian,Chinese and Spanish cuisine. Rat-on-a-stick is a roasted rat dish consumed in Vietnam and Cambodia.
What does dog taste like? ›
Dog meat is most commonly compared to beef or mutton by those who have tried it. For example, the UK publication The Mirror reported on a few people who tried dog meat. Their story led with Mark Biens, a professional food blogger who tried dog meat in China while on his travels.
How big is the biggest rat in the world? ›
The Gambian pouched rat is native to Africa and is the world's largest rat, reaching up to 9 pounds. The average size is 3 pounds, measuring 20-35 inches from the head to the tip of the tail. The body is gray to brown in color, with a lighter belly.
What would happen if you ate a raw rat? ›
Most infected experience minor symptoms such as headaches, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, while 1 in 10 infections can result in meningitis, liver failure, kidney damage, and, in some cases, even death. However, there are many more threats such as listeriosis, tularemia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
Do people eat guinea pigs? ›
Most people see them as fluffy adorable pets, but in Peru guinea pigs - or "cuy" as they are known locally - are a delicacy.
Chinese people basically eat all animals' meat, such as pork, beef, mutton, chicken, duck, pigeon, as well as many others. Pork is the most commonly consumed meat, and it appears in almost every meal.
Can eating rats make you sick? ›
Leptospirosis: You get this bacterial infection from foods or liquids splashed with rodent urine. It doesn't matter what kind of rodent, as long as the pee stays moist on the food. Nine in ten people get rough but manageable symptoms (headaches, fever, diarrhea), making it look deceptively flulike.
What countries eat dogs? ›
In the 21st century, dog meat is consumed in South Korea, China, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Vietnam, and it is eaten or is legal to be eaten in other countries throughout the world.
Do they eat co*ckroaches in China? ›
Wang breeds American co*ckroaches (actually, they're originally from Africa) and he sells them to pharmaceutical companies in China by the ton. They are usually ground and stuffed into pills and advertised as a cure for all manner of stomach, heart, and liver ailments.
Is Chinese food made out of rats? ›
Historically, rats have been, and continue to be, a beloved delicacy in many parts of the world including: China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, India, Ghana, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines. A 2013 criminal meat fraud bust in China flamed racist narratives about Chinese food and restaurants.
Why are New York rats so huge? ›
They are fed well and have ample places to stay, this makes it so that they are healthier and in better physical condition than ever before. That condition offers them the opportunity to grow bigger as they eat better and live longer.
What is the biggest rat in the United States? ›
The largest species, (Neotoma cinerea) has a bushy, almost squirrel-like tail. Bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea) occupy a range of habitats from boreal woodlands to deserts.
Do rats bite people? ›
Healthy rats typically avoid people and prefer to be active when buildings are quiet. However, when cornered, they will lunge and bite to defend themselves. The saliva of some species of rats carries hazardous diseases, such as leptospirosis and Hantavirus. In rare cases, rat bite victims may contract rat-bite fever.
What kills rats instantly? ›
For best results, consider using snap traps, which are a fast method to kill rats instantly. To prevent other animals from getting into the traps, place them inside a box or under a milk crate. Bait the traps with peanut butter, which is cheap and attractive to rats.
Can rats eat hot dogs? ›
Rats are strong enough to move large pieces of pizza, hot dogs, and even tacos or bean burritos.
As long as the popcorn you offer your rat is plain, unsalted, and unbuttered popcorn, it should be perfectly healthy for your rat to eat. That means movie theater popcorn, kettle corn, or any other flavored popcorn is a no-go for your rat.
What country eats horse meat? ›
Mexico, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Poland and China are among the nations where many people eat horse meat without a second thought.
What does cat taste like? ›
The meat was not like chicken at all, it was a light colored red meat – not that deep dark meat like dog. It tasted slightly similar to pork, yet full of weird little transparent fish like bones and with an ever so slight tinge of sour aftertaste.
Do people eat giraffe? ›
Giraffes used not to be widely eaten, although unfortunately they are now eaten by local peoples, so that giraffes have become an endangered species. Perhaps it would therefore be a good idea to raise them for food, as we do cows and pigs.
What country eats monkey brains? ›
Monkey brains have traditionally been eaten in parts of China and South East Asia because people believe they will be imbued with ancient wisdom.
Do Chinese eat donkeys? ›
On Earth, there is donkey meat." The meat tastes gamey and full of flavor, more like beef than chicken or pork. Originally a northern Chinese delicacy from Hebei province, the donkey-based snack has spread to major cities across the country. There are more than 20 Fat Wang's branches in Beijing alone.
Do Chinese eat pigeons? ›
For the Chinese, pigeon is a very special bird indeed. It is not raised as widely as chicken and is therefore a prized food that is part of banquets and family celebrations.
What happens if a rat touches you? ›
The main concern with rat bites is that you will develop a specific type of bacterial infection known as rat-bite fever (RBF). Humans can contract this illness if an infected rat bites or scratches them. Petting or handling an infected animal can transmit the bacteria, as well.
Why is rat poop poisonous? ›
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning. When a rat or mouse walks through their own droppings or urine, then walks through human food, that transfer of bacteria from the droppings and urine can contaminate the food – making someone sick if they unknowingly eat the contaminated food.
Is there rat poop in food? ›
Rodent poop
The icky defect comes up 15 times in the FDA's handbook. Fennel seeds, ginger and mace (a spice that's similar to nutmeg) can all contain up to an average of 3 milligrams of mammal poop per pound.
It doesn't have a name. Most animal meats don't.... the language of 'food' names for animals came with the Norman invasion. Since the Normans didn't eat much cat, we are bereft of a name for its flesh. I don't know how good cat meat would be, to be honest, you might want to fatten it up before you kill it.
Do people eat horses? ›
Horse meat is commonly eaten in many countries in Europe and Asia. It is not a generally available food in some English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, the United States, and English Canada.
What countries eat snakes? ›
The tradition of eating snakes in Vietnam dates back to long ago. It is believed that snake meat is used to reduce the high temperature of human body, relieve headaches and stomach problems. A dish made of snakes is now available in restaurants in Vietnam.
Do Chinese eat spiders? ›
They do the same type of thing in China. You can see the fried spiders on a stick, along with larvae and other unidentifiable (for me) delicacies. The spiders are 5 to a stick and are being sold, at the Donghuamen night market in Beijing.
Do Chinese eat turtles? ›
In China, however, turtle meat and blood are prized food. “China has eaten through their turtle populations, and the snapping turtle being the second largest freshwater turtle in the United States makes it a good target to fill that international demand.”
Which country has most co*ckroaches? ›
The largest co*ckroach farm is near Xichang, Sichuan, southwestern China, where it breeds six billion co*ckroaches a year.
Does Chinese food have cat in it? ›
Cat meat can be found on the menu in China, Vietnam and even parts of South America. The Chinese government has signaled a willingness to take the meat off the market. To avoid upsetting international visitors during the Beijing Olympics, officials ordered dog meat off the menus at local markets.
What does rat poop look like? ›
Rodent droppings are a good indicator of the pest in your house. Rat droppings are shiny black and 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch long, whereas mice droppings are small and smooth with pointed ends. Chew marks are another telltale sign to distinguish your rodent.
Can you eat a mouse? ›
You can prepare it much like you would any other type of meat, just in smaller, mouse-sized portions. "I've been eating mice for 10 years with no ill effects. You can fry them, roast them or boil them. They're very sweet and tasty," said customer Mo Lin.
What would happen if you ate a raw rat? ›
Most infected experience minor symptoms such as headaches, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, while 1 in 10 infections can result in meningitis, liver failure, kidney damage, and, in some cases, even death. However, there are many more threats such as listeriosis, tularemia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
The Gambian pouched rat is native to Africa and is the world's largest rat, reaching up to 9 pounds. The average size is 3 pounds, measuring 20-35 inches from the head to the tip of the tail. The body is gray to brown in color, with a lighter belly.
Can eating rats make you sick? ›
Leptospirosis: You get this bacterial infection from foods or liquids splashed with rodent urine. It doesn't matter what kind of rodent, as long as the pee stays moist on the food. Nine in ten people get rough but manageable symptoms (headaches, fever, diarrhea), making it look deceptively flulike.
Why do we need rats in the world? ›
Rats are rodents that do actually serve a purpose in the ecosystem. They are scavengers and opportunistic eaters. They will eat garbage and other things that people throw away. Plus, rats are important as part of the predatory ecosystem.
What kills rats instantly? ›
For best results, consider using snap traps, which are a fast method to kill rats instantly. To prevent other animals from getting into the traps, place them inside a box or under a milk crate. Bait the traps with peanut butter, which is cheap and attractive to rats.
Can rats eat hot dogs? ›
Rats are strong enough to move large pieces of pizza, hot dogs, and even tacos or bean burritos.
Can rats have popcorn? ›
As long as the popcorn you offer your rat is plain, unsalted, and unbuttered popcorn, it should be perfectly healthy for your rat to eat. That means movie theater popcorn, kettle corn, or any other flavored popcorn is a no-go for your rat.
Why are New York rats so huge? ›
They are fed well and have ample places to stay, this makes it so that they are healthier and in better physical condition than ever before. That condition offers them the opportunity to grow bigger as they eat better and live longer.
What is the biggest rat in the United States? ›
The largest species, (Neotoma cinerea) has a bushy, almost squirrel-like tail. Bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea) occupy a range of habitats from boreal woodlands to deserts.
Do rats bite people? ›
Healthy rats typically avoid people and prefer to be active when buildings are quiet. However, when cornered, they will lunge and bite to defend themselves. The saliva of some species of rats carries hazardous diseases, such as leptospirosis and Hantavirus. In rare cases, rat bite victims may contract rat-bite fever.
What happens if a rat touches you? ›
The main concern with rat bites is that you will develop a specific type of bacterial infection known as rat-bite fever (RBF). Humans can contract this illness if an infected rat bites or scratches them. Petting or handling an infected animal can transmit the bacteria, as well.
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning. When a rat or mouse walks through their own droppings or urine, then walks through human food, that transfer of bacteria from the droppings and urine can contaminate the food – making someone sick if they unknowingly eat the contaminated food.
Is there rat poop in food? ›
Rodent poop
The icky defect comes up 15 times in the FDA's handbook. Fennel seeds, ginger and mace (a spice that's similar to nutmeg) can all contain up to an average of 3 milligrams of mammal poop per pound.
Why are rats so dirty? ›
Unsanitary rat feces, urine, carcasses and other, biohazard, waste, pose real health concerns. Rats can spread diseases ( to humans directly through their feces, urine, saliva or bites. They can also spread diseases indirectly through their, very close friends: ticks, mites and fleas.
What do rats think of humans? ›
They become attached to each other, love their own families, and easily bond with their human guardians—returning as much affection as is given to them. Many rats will even “groom” a human companion's hand and would appreciate a massage, a scratch behind the ears, or even a tickle in return.
What do rats smell like? ›
1. Odor. One of the first signs that many homeowners notice that could indicate a rodent infestation is a pungent, musky odor throughout the home.
