This Video Of Rats Moving Out Of A Homeless Person's Blanket Will Make Your Stomach Sick

In recent years, New York City has witnessed a distressing surge in homelessness, reaching levels not seen since the Great Depression. This crisis has given rise to unthinkable challenges for those living on the streets, as highlighted by a shocking video that surfaced on social media. The footage captured a homeless person sleeping in a subway station, surrounded by a dozen rats scurrying beneath their blanket, illustrating the dire conditions many face while battling for survival.

The video, originally shared on TikTok by @six4bk718, revealed a disturbing scene on a New York City subway platform. As onlookers giggled at the sight of rats fleeing from underneath the homeless person’s blanket, it shed light on the harsh realities faced by those experiencing homelessness. The man recording the video attempted to awaken the sleeper, revealing an astonishing number of rats escaping from their makeshift shelter. Remarkably, the homeless individual appeared unfazed by the presence of the rodents.

The rat population in New York City has long been a subject of fascination, particularly in recent years amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2014, statistician Jonathan Auerbach estimated that there were approximately 2 million rats in the city, according to M and M Pest Control (MMPC). Utilising data on rat sightings reported to 311 between 2010 and 2011, Auerbach employed a capture-recapture sampling method commonly used by ecologists to estimate animal populations in the wild.

Revisiting Auerbach’s methods with the latest data on rat sightings in 2022 and 2023, the results from MMPC are staggering. The rat population in New York City has escalated to an estimated 3 million, signifying a concerning increase.

The alarming rise in homelessness has exacerbated the rodent infestation in the Big Apple. Data from the Coalition for the Homeless reveals that the number of homeless New Yorkers sleeping in municipal shelters each night is now 72% higher than it was a decade ago. Moreover, the number of homeless single adults has surged by 106% over the same period, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address both homelessness and its associated challenges.