Tastes like chicken

[ithacaartist]

Here's a Facebook post by some gun named Hunter Allen. Enjoy!

"Fascinating image. Trenches, especially on the Western Front, were infested with millions of rats. They fed on human corpses. During the harsh conditions of WW1, soldiers often lacked proper winter clothing and supplies, so nothing usable was wasted, not even rats.
Trench rats were killed to help control diseases like Trench fever, but their small pelts were also put to use: when dried, rat skins were light, soft, warm, and easy to cure in the field.
Soldiers sometimes collected them in bulk to stitch into makeshift fur, creating gloves or fingerless mittens for warmth, using them as patches or linings to repair worn-out uniforms, or even bartering them for tobacco, food, and other small comforts"

[ithacaartist]

I've never actually eaten rat in order to make the pronouncement of this post's title, I confess. But I will stand by it--partly in recognition of what's basically a world-wide consensus among those who *have* partaken, and extrapolation from my experience eating rabbit and squirrel. I also know that if you microwave an entire rat, to warm it up for your boa constrictor, they can smell quite funky/unappetizing. But I can imagine that if one were butchered properly, it'd probably be just fine.

p.s. Since I'm on a roll here... Herpetologists will tell you that captive snakes should be offered food that's commensurate with their size. Many constrictors have heat-sensing pits on their faces which assist in locating food, so the latter is often warmed to mimic live prey.
At the point we donated Esmeralda to Dan the Snake Man--a fella who would drive a van full of reptiles around to schools for educational outreach--she was around 65 pounds, a tad under 12 feet, and consuming a 3-pound rabbit per week. When my son acquired her as a pup (snake, not son), she was 18 inches long, and about as big around as a ring finger. Snakes this size are fed "pinks," aka hairless baby mice. The point of this additional ramble is to advise that when warming pinks for your snake in the microwave, do it gently, lest they pop!

[rhuff]

Humans are very adaptable animals, especially in war times and conditions.

[Bill_in_VA]

I’ve eaten plenty of squirrel and rabbit, and even eaten guinea pig but I believe I’d have to draw the with rats.

[calibrator]

I'd rather be around rats than flys. I spent many hours over a 2 year period using old WWII German ammo bunker tunnels for overnight shelter when stationed in Sardinia.

Saw many rats close up, never felt threatened by them as they were just foraging for field ration discards. Tried to carry away all the remnants after meals so as not to attract them. Also had to wash your hands and face before sleeping because they would actively seek out the smell and taste. Started wearing gloves and mosquito head nets. Never saw anyone bitten, not to say it couldn't happen. Watched a documentary about Rat Wranglers for the movies some time ago. They said rats were very sociable and trainable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqzkJpoxT30&t=1s

[HerrKaiser]

The biggest ick factor for the WW1 rats is that their primary diet in the trenches was carrion…

[Kiwi]

Eating Trench rats is the equivalent of Soylent Green

I have eaten various game: Deer, Rabbit (don't like), Goat, Squirrel
and some odd stuff; Crocodile, Rattlesnake, Sea Turtle (endangered species but permitted by local fishermen in South Pacific)
Crocodile has consistency of meat but tastes like fish.
Rattlesnake is mostly bone like a chicken neck

[8ftdinghy]

Quite a picture. Makes one appreciate how blessed we are to not have to do such things.

As a side note, I am new here and wondering how to post a thank you. I am missing seeing the option.

[HerrKaiser]

Hit the “thumbs up” button in the bottom right of a given post.

[sheepherder]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned 'Roast Rat On A Stick', a delicacy of Thailand and Vietnam.

Ive never tried it either (my favorite food on Okinawa was Shrimp Fried Rice) but as Dave says, prepared like a squirrel it would probably be delicious.

172 million Thai and Vietnamese can't be wrong!

[Bill_in_VA]

IMG_5305.jpg
Cuy kabob, anyone?

[kzullick]

No Thanks Bill, I'll pass.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by Bill_in_VA

Cuy kabob, anyone?

Lol! Sure, it looks nice and crispy! Protein is protein, I always say. Did they use its guts to tell the future?

[Bill_in_VA]

Ha! Not this time, they didn’t. Peru is a strange place though, foodwise.