They actualy look quite similar. The answer to this question will help me answer why some people are considered smart and beautiful when in fact there is no objective criteria for that. And over the human history the critera has changed drastically.
2006-09-09 15:01:42 · 14 answers · asked by professortvz 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
It is because rats habitate in areas with humans directly, while squirrels live on the fringe of our habitations. We feel threatened by rats because, given the chance, they will take over our habitats and eat us. We don't think that way of squirrels because they are vegetarians. Rats are also feared because of past historical plagues.
2006-09-09 15:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by Billy W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Squirrels can hide nuts in locations and find them with methods that scientists today still can't quite figure out how they do it. So, they still have mysteries associated with them, while Rats are pretty well know, being grown in Laboratories and genetically mapped, the subject of COUNTLESS experiments, etc. Also, wild rats are known to have been the carriers to the fleas that started the Black Plague, etc. This alone has given them a bad reputation as a spreader of disease and human suffering. Does it make sense? Maybe not, but why do Muslim's hate Jews, Christians hate Gays, etc.? Possibly, its out of something small, but once was done, so many many people simply won't let go of their "simple" mindsets to see the truth and thus it is, that rats have been our saviors in many many ways over the years though many different experiments. But, its so easy to see them as, well, nasty. Society sure is funny, huh?
Over in China their a delicacy.
2006-09-09 22:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because rats live in garbage and eat garbage. Squirrels eat peanuts and acorns.
Rats live in sewers. Squirrels live in trees.
Rats have nasty looking teeth and look mean. Squirrels are cuter and they will even sit and stare at you but you never really feel threatened by them like they are going to bite you.
Rats are used in science a lot, you know the term "lab rat." I don't know if any ppl doing experiments on squirrels.
Rats don't do funny tricks. Everytime I see squirrels trying to get into a bird feeder I have to laugh at their persistence and acrobatics.
Rats have bald tails. Squirrels have nice furry tails.
You're right about the difference between the rats and squirrel's reputations. Over here we call the squirrels, "tree rats."
2006-09-09 22:07:28 · answer #3 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who says? Many people consider squirrels as nothing but tree-dwelling rats with bushy tails.
2006-09-09 22:05:26 · answer #4 · answered by My Evil Twin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
squirrels live outside Rats come inside
2006-09-09 22:07:45 · answer #5 · answered by fred flintstone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, like chipmunks, everyone loves em, but when I was in colorado they would break into the cabins and eat my snacks, so I started hunting them with my slingshot.
it's all perspective, once something becomes a nuissance they are no longer smart and cute, but until they become that, people like to think that about some rodents/animals.
2006-09-09 22:05:36 · answer #6 · answered by phalsephasod 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its all in the tail. Plus squirrels don't spread disease like rats do.
2006-09-09 22:30:15 · answer #7 · answered by Ruthinia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As in many aspects of life -- a nice tail goes a long way
2006-09-09 22:09:30 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. Nightcall 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well thats like asking why the sky is blue, and the grass is green. Its because God made them that way.
2006-09-09 22:06:27 · answer #9 · answered by Jenni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fuzzy tails and good public relations
2006-09-09 22:03:27 · answer #10 · answered by Grundoon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋