A giant rat measuring 56cm from nose to tail was recently discovered inside a home in North Yorkshire, England.
Giant rat UK: Huge rodent shocks local residents
According to local councillors, the rat was about the size of a small cat and found by a pest control worker.
The alarming discovery has sparked concern among residents and officials, who say this is not an isolated case.
with a photo of the rat inside a plastic bag, they warned that “it’s not a one-off”, and called the situation “a growing problem.”
The councillors told PEOPLE they have received increasing reports of rat sightings, and some residents have even found holes in the ground — believed to be rat burrows — in their community.
“The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get. We need action — not just advice,” they posted.
Rodents back in greater numbers
In a follow-up post on 3 August 2025, Taylor and Martin explained that similar rodent problems had been tackled successfully two years ago, but that the rats have now returned in greater numbers.
They hope that the renewed attention — the story has made national headlines — will lead to more effective responses from local authorities.
The brown rat, also known as the Norway rat, is the most common rat in the UK.
According to the Wildlife Trust, these animals are highly adaptable and live in urban and rural areas. They build burrows, often near buildings, and are frequently found in towns and cities.
Female brown rats can start breeding at three months old and produce up to five litters a year, with as many as 12 young per litter. This rapid breeding makes rat infestations hard to control once they begin.
While a 56cm rat is unusually large, experts say the UK’s rodent population has grown in both size and number due to easy access to food and shelter — especially in areas with poor waste management.