Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Rats aren't just pests they're one of the greatest success stories in the history of life on this planet. Trace the full evolutionary journey of rats, from the rat-like proto-mammals that survived the dinosaurs, to the rise of true rodents, to how brown rats hitched a ride on human civilization and conquered every continent. Meet prehistoric giants like the bison-sized Josephoartigasia, the only horned rodent ever, and the "Lazarus" rock rat thought extinct for 11 million years. Plus: the truth about rats and the Black Death, Jack Black the royal rat catcher, how colonialism accidentally spread rats across the globe, and why New York City rats are literally evolving in real time.
Oh! And I wrote a book, so definitely make sure to grab it—Epic Earth out now!
Order Here: https://a.co/d/54fdZqI
#LindsayNikole #rats #rodentlife
Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW: youtube.com/@LindsayNikole?sub_confirmation=1
ABOUT LINDSAY NIKOLE
Join zoologist Lindsay Nikole for vivid stories about evolution, animal behavior, and the wonderfully weird life around (and before) us. Each video dives into creatures you’ve never met and facts you’ll never forget, blending science with humor, visuals, and memorable explanations. From viral mystery IDs and prehistoric deep dives to myth-busting and conservation context, this channel makes complex biology easy and exciting to understand.
Follow Lindsay Nikole here:
Order Lindsay’s new book: geni.us/EpicEarth?brid=yl-xFobehfULq0HItSrw1g
Instagram: instagram.com/lindsay_nikole
Facebook: facebook.com/LindsayNikoleTheZoologist
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lindsaynikole
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/2IDSBorwoeXSD3r67kFTQH?si=Mb2Dg1fgRXWZQzfIzSqgmg&nd=1
Merch: lindsaynikole.com
Chapters
00:00 "The History of Rats" (That We Know Of)
01:58 What Is a Rodent?
04:07 The Origins of Rodents & the Dinosaur Problem
06:42 "Phoberomys Pattersoni" The 1,600 lb Giant
07:38 "Ceratogaulus" Giants & Horned Weirdos
09:01 "Josephoartigasia" largest rodent (That We Know Of)
09:39 Where Did Rats Actually Come From?
14:20 The Black Rat's World Tour
15:09 The Brown Rat Takes Over
19:36 The 3 Major Routes for Rats first is "Domestication"
20:17 Second Routes for Rats "Rat Baiting"
20:55 Jack Black The Royal Rat Catcher
21:25 Third Routes for Rats "Scientific Research"
24:01 "Rats" The Most Successful Urban Survivors and Still Evolving
25:10 The "Jerboa", "Octodon" & "Octodon Degus"
26:20 The "Naked Mole-Rat", "Indian Giant Squirrel" & "Laotian Rock Rat"
27:43 The "Classic Datami", "Bosavi Woolly Rat" & "Vangunu Giant Rat"
The History of Rats (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole
youtube.com/channel/UCrc2iv2-G1FZ3VscM3zu2jg
Rats aren't just pests they're one of the greatest success stories in the history of life on this planet. Trace the full evolutionary journey of rats, from the rat-like proto-mammals that survived the dinosaurs, to the rise of true rodents, to how brown rats hitched a ride on human civilization and conquered every continent. Meet prehistoric giants like the bison-sized Josephoartigasia, the only horned rodent ever, and the "Lazarus" rock rat thought extinct for 11 million years. Plus: the truth about rats and the Black Death, Jack Black the royal rat catcher, how colonialism accidentally spread rats across the globe, and why New York City rats are literally evolving in real time.
Oh! And I wrote a book, so definitely make sure to grab it—Epic Earth out now!
Order Here: https://a.co/d/54fdZqI
#LindsayNikole #rats #rodentlife
Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW: youtube.com/@LindsayNikole?sub_confirmation=1
ABOUT LINDSAY NIKOLE
Join zoologist Lindsay Nikole for vivid stories about evolution, animal behavior, and the wonderfully weird life around (and before) us. Each video dives into creatures you’ve never met and facts you’ll never forget, blending science with humor, visuals, and memorable explanations. From viral mystery IDs and prehistoric deep dives to myth-busting and conservation context, this channel makes complex biology easy and exciting to understand.
Follow Lindsay Nikole here:
Order Lindsay’s new book: geni.us/EpicEarth?brid=yl-xFobehfULq0HItSrw1g
Instagram: instagram.com/lindsay_nikole
Facebook: facebook.com/LindsayNikoleTheZoologist
TikTok: tiktok.com/@lindsaynikole
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/2IDSBorwoeXSD3r67kFTQH?si=Mb2Dg1fgRXWZQzfIzSqgmg&nd=1
Merch: lindsaynikole.com
Chapters
00:00 "The History of Rats" (That We Know Of)
01:58 What Is a Rodent?
04:07 The Origins of Rodents & the Dinosaur Problem
06:42 "Phoberomys Pattersoni" The 1,600 lb Giant
07:38 "Ceratogaulus" Giants & Horned Weirdos
09:01 "Josephoartigasia" largest rodent (That We Know Of)
09:39 Where Did Rats Actually Come From?
14:20 The Black Rat's World Tour
15:09 The Brown Rat Takes Over
19:36 The 3 Major Routes for Rats first is "Domestication"
20:17 Second Routes for Rats "Rat Baiting"
20:55 Jack Black The Royal Rat Catcher
21:25 Third Routes for Rats "Scientific Research"
24:01 "Rats" The Most Successful Urban Survivors and Still Evolving
25:10 The "Jerboa", "Octodon" & "Octodon Degus"
26:20 The "Naked Mole-Rat", "Indian Giant Squirrel" & "Laotian Rock Rat"
27:43 The "Classic Datami", "Bosavi Woolly Rat" & "Vangunu Giant Rat"
The History of Rats (That We Know Of) | Lindsay Nikole
youtube.com/channel/UCrc2iv2-G1FZ3VscM3zu2jg
