The Rat King: On the Fascinations (and Revulsions) of Rattus

In what he calls "an Experiment in Controlled Digression," Mark Dery touches on xenogastronomy, ortolan, Edible Dormouse, Victor Hugo's fondness for rat pâté, rat-baiting as a betting sport in Victorian times, the rat as New York's unofficial mascot, Luis Buñuel's pet rat, scientific research into such pressing questions as whether rats laugh, and whether rats will inherit the Earth as a result of climate change, Dracula's dominion over rats, and of course the (cryptozoological myth? well-documented phenomenon?) of the Rat King.

Creepy video shows nine rats seen tied together by tails in bizarre 'rat king' phenomenon that leaves them dead

Bizarre moment five rats are found tied together in rare 'rat king' phenomenon that 'signals impending plague or famine

Mark Dery

The Truth Behind the Terrifying Legend of the Rat King

An (Almost) Comprehensive History of Rat Kings

The Complicated, Inconclusive Truth Behind Rat Kings - Atlas Obscura

ShukerNature: RAT KINGS – A TANGLED TALE OF TANGLED TAILS

Rattus sapiens, Tongue Tied

Bizarre moment four rats shuffle along while tied together in rare example of 'rat king' phenomenon

Rat Kings - Spokus

Bizarre moment four rats shuffle along while tied together in rare example of 'rat king' phenomenon