On April 15, Reddit user Takuraiii_ shared a photo on the subreddit “What is it?” depicting a dark, stringy object protruding from a gap in their ceiling panel. The caption read: “Noticed this sticking out from my ceiling – what is it?” The image quickly went viral, amassing over 35,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments.
Redditors from various backgrounds chimed in with theories. Some humorously suggested it was a rat’s tail, referencing animated films like “An American Tail” and “Ratatouille.” Others proposed more exotic possibilities, including an opossum, an armadillo, or even a giant wall lizard. One user joked, “Lick it. If it looks like a rat, tastes like a rat…” Another advised, “Poke it with a stick and lick the stick instead.”
Suggestions on how to handle the object varied. Some advised pushing it back up or tickling it to see if it would retract. Others, disturbed by the sight, recommended more drastic measures. One user quipped, “I would simply burn the house down.” Another warned about the potential smell if it were a dead rat.
Shortly after the initial post, Takuraiii_ updated the thread, stating that the object had vanished: “It’s gone now.” This development led to further unease among commenters, with one expressing, “OP, are you not freaking out?! I have the heebie jeebies for you.” Another cautioned, “It’s just out of sight; it’s definitely not gone.”
Within 24 hours, the original poster confirmed the identity of the mysterious object. After considering various suggestions and observing the situation, they concluded, “After a heck-ton of comments saying that it’s a rat’s tail, I can now confirm that it is a rat’s tail… I’ll be calling an exterminator soon to properly deal with the situation. Thank you, everyone!”
