Downtown's Coffee Sipping Rats
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Today's First Thing Friday post at LA Observed links to a post by Peggie Archer about Downtown rats drinking coffee.
Tonight, I left my light* for a few minutes to pee and make a sandwich (not simultaneously). When I came back, I saw a really big rat.
A really big rat perched on the arm of my camp chair (with nifty built-in cupholder), daintily sipping my coffee (I still can't figure out how he got the plastic lid off the cup).
In case you were wondering, flapping your hands and yelling "Shoo!" does not frighten rats in downtown Los Angeles - in fact, it barely makes them look up from their coffee.
We do have some big ones. Saturday night my roommates and I were walking back from the Broadway Bar. We were coming up Spring just south of 7th when we saw a large rat dart out into the roadway and instantly be crushed by the wheel of a passing car. It was quite a loud thump. I thought about going out into the street to take a picture, but didn't. I laughed for a bit, though.
Tim McGarry on November 06, 2005, at 08:17PM – #1
The ivy around the perimeter of Pershing Square is a favorite hangout, I've noticed. They seem especially active at dusk.
Scott X. Mercer on November 14, 2005, at 08:37PM – #2
Well, we got us some big ass rats here at the Pacific Electric Building. According to our building message boards, they've only been seen in the parking levels so far, but we're all keeping on watch. Check out the thread for yourself at pebuilding.org (I think non-members can read but not post).