Study Finds Chicago’s ‘Splatatouille’ Likely Not a Rat

A new study revealed that the well-known “Chicago Rat Hole,” affectionately called “Splatatouille,” was made by a squirrel, not a rat, based on a 98.67% likelihood from measurements comparing it to various mammals. Although the impression was removed in 2023, researchers suggest renaming it to “Windy City Sidewalk Squirrel,” and the slab is now preserved at Chicago City Hall-County Building.