The proverb “Rats flee a sinking ship” means people avoiding difficulties, betrayal, etc. Why did such an expression come from? So where did the rats escape from a sinking ship?
Rodent Features
Rats are often the subject of research by scientists. Moreover, science is interested not only in the organism of rodents, but also in their intellectual abilities, thinking, and behavioral aspects.
These are unique animals. They communicate with each other using ultrasound, without attracting the attention of predators. Distinguish between poisonous and safe food, they can do without water for a long time. They withstand a high radiation background, while they can die from a strong mental shock. It is believed that rats are able to laugh, and also have abstract thinking along with humans.
Rats do not live alone, but as part of huge colonies that are divided into groups. Groups have their own hierarchical system. Rodents easily adapt to any food and, at the same time, are very picky.
Interesting fact: It is known that rats are omnivores. But young offspring will not feed on everyone. With mother's milk, the cubs receive information about which food is safe to eat. Before trying something new, young individuals monitor the elders - whether they eat such food.
Rats on the ships
If rats are so smart and able to survive even in very adverse conditions, are they really capable of predictions? Scientists are engaged in the study of this phenomenon regularly.
It all started quite a while ago - when the ships moved only due to the force of the wind and were made of wood. Sailors noticed that rodents were leaving hundreds of ships standing in the port. Many ships in the past went on their last voyage. These two phenomena were tied together, and a sign appeared in which most sailors believed.
However, scientists refer to a more believable version. In fact, rats leave the vessel en masse, as their density becomes too high. So animals settle and, it can be said without exaggeration, occupy more and more territories.
Another version is based on the ability of rats to capture the low-frequency fluctuations of water that form during an impending storm. People do not feel them, and rodents flee. But this theory has a serious flaw. If all rats feel an approaching storm, why do not they leave all ships, but only certain ones?
If a shipwreck occurs on the high seas, these creatures have little chance of salvation. When water enters all compartments, the rats are not afraid, because they know how to swim and dive. So in fact, there is no mass exodus of rodents on sinking vessels.
Interesting fact: Rats are able to swim for 3 days without stopping, covering a distance of about 30 km. Officially recorded a record distance of 29 km. But if during this period of time the animal does not detect land or an object on which it is possible to escape, then it will not be able to swim further.
