In a viral video that has been circulating online, a rat was seen engaging in some unexpected behavior on a New York City subway train. The rodent was spotted climbing a vertical rail on a subway train in what appeared to be a ‘pole dancing’ act, much to the surprise of onlookers. The incident, which took place on a Coney Island-bound F train, was captured on camera and shared on the popular Subway Creatures Instagram account.
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According to the footage shared on social media, the rat, which seemed to be a juvenile, caught the attention of riders as it made its way up the grab bar on the moving train. The video shows some passengers reacting with excitement and amusement, while others remained unfazed by the rodent’s acrobatics. At one point, the rat slipped slightly before returning to the floor of the subway car and then making its way towards a rider with a suitcase.

The video quickly gained traction online, with many drawing comparisons between the rat’s actions and pole dancing. This is not the first time a rodent has been likened to a stripper on the NYC subway, as a similar incident went viral in 2019. The latest performance by the rat on the subway pole sparked mixed reactions from viewers, with some finding humour in the situation and others expressing concerns about hygiene and health risks.
Following the release of the video, social media users took to the comments section to share their thoughts on the pole-climbing rat. Some joked about the rat’s attempt to ‘make that cheddar’ in a light-hearted manner, while others raised valid concerns about the proximity of rodents to commuters and the potential health implications. The video served as a reminder of the diverse and sometimes unexpected experiences that can unfold during daily commutes on public transportation.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has not provided any further information on the fate of the pole-climbing rat after its brief moment of fame on the subway train. The incident has since sparked discussions about public health and safety measures on public transportation, prompting individuals to consider the cleanliness of commonly touched surfaces like grab bars. The playful yet concerning display by the rat serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and hygiene practices, especially in shared spaces like subway trains.
As the video continues to circulate online, it serves as a quirky reminder of the unpredictable encounters that can occur in a bustling city like New York. While the pole-climbing rat may have provided some entertainment for subway riders, it also raises important questions about cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces. The incident serves as a lighthearted yet cautionary tale for commuters to remain vigilant and mindful of their surroundings while travelling on public transportation in the city.
