Rats in Dulwich park

[BVale]

I decided to share this with you and wonder if you have similar experience.

I went for a walk in dulwich park with my son and when we walked over the boardwalk.. somewhere in the middle.. I realised we were surrounded by rats, I have to admit I was (my son didn't mind :) )in shock! I have never seen something like this, soooo many rats around me...grhhh!!!I have seen them before but this picture was something really crazy to see! Hmm not sure if I'll go back there again :(

[jennyh]

I've not seen but a friend told me that there were loads there when she went, when the water was at its highest. Not nice.

[steveo]

Some of them have beards

[bonniebird]

I quite like em! My dogs don't though!

[Robert Poste's Child]

I've seen them too, and in Belair Park though not so many. I think they're water rats, like Ratty in the Wind in the Willows, rather than the other sort, though no doubt all the duck-feeding attracts them too.

[DulwichFox]

Rats are everywhere.. I saw one crossing Nunhead Lane by the shops .. As I was stuck in traffic.

Foxy.

[Burbage]

BVale Wrote:

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> I decided to share this with you and wonder if you

> have similar experience.

It depends which side of the park you're from - those from the Hole call them voles. But yes, there are a lot of rats about - cheerful, bright-eyed little souls that have got quite good at swimming and hide under the bridge in the hope of crumbs or coot's eggs.

If you don't like them, then you can stop pretending to feed the ducks and put the crumbs in the bin. But the little Marmadukes and Maisys can quite enjoy the rats, and it's not as if they carrying the plague. Yet.

[yeknomyeknom]

Me too! Two days ago with my son. On the same boardwalk and another path further on in the park. Gambolling around like squirrels, not a care in the world, not running away from people. They were in good shape for rats. Not too ugly or scary.

[aquarius moon]

So there are rats in Dulwich Park.

There are dogs also.

Probably foxes too.

And humans.

Isn't it great that we can all live together?

Would be even better if we could all accept each others existence without complaining.

[Chips56]

There have always been rats in the park , it is an open space with water . That's nature .

[BundaberG]

I know of a person who captures them and once caged they fatten them up on lots and lots of lard so they can't walk any more then releases them back onto the streets so all the cats can eat them

[Mazza6]

Yes I saw one in the exact spot too it is a water rat. Will think again about who I am throwing my bread too!

[Vince]

Yes, I saw one today. Kinda cute.

[civilservant]

The herons who hang around the lake have been known to snack on the rats. They drown them first. The owls (see other thread) eat them too. If you don't like rats, though, maybe you should just stay away from the lake.

[hpsaucey]

BundaberG Wrote:

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> I know of a person who captures them and once

> caged they fatten them up on lots and lots of lard

> so they can't walk any more then releases them

> back onto the streets so all the cats can eat them

God - that's a bit 'Royston Vasey'! You're joking no?

[Chunksmum]

I saw the rats on the bridge too! One ran towards me whilst another one was watching from the edge of the bridge! Completely freaked me out that I ran with the buggy off the bridge like a woman possessed! I really don't want my son to pick up on my fear of rats/pigeons. We had seeds bought from the cafe to feed the ducks and were told the bread people are throwing are attracting the rats aswell as being really unhealthy for the ducks.

[edd]

That photo is definitely a brown rat (rattus norvegicus), not a water vole/rat.

Too cute! :)

[Gula]

I saw one today too. They seemed to be taking no notice of the general public.

[spark67]

Plenty at Camberwell Old cemetery if you want to rat-watch, I often see them running along then climbing the fence along Langton rise on my way to work in the morning...Probably why the foxes are leaving the bins alone more and are still looking healthy and plump ;)

[Lynne]

I've seen them outside Sainsburys too (discriminating rats)

Lynne

[Earl Aelfheah]

Yes, there are lot's by the boardwalk. Definitely rats, not voles. Voles are quite rare / endangered I believe. To be honest i don't mind them too much.

[Chips56]

There getting so cheeky ,I saw this one come out the bank in the village

[mrure26]

Just before Christmas, one rather large rat ran from the street into the Co-op shop on Lordship Lane.

[TillieTrotter]

Probably going to pick up his pre-ordered turkey.

[P&N]

Same experience ...it is amazing how big they are same look from distance like cats.