National Pack Rat Day

Happy National Pack Rat Day! Well…maybe not ‘happy’ if you are a pack rat, or you live with one…!

A Pack Rat, or “compulsive hoarder,” is someone who displays “a pattern of behavior that is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment.” According to Wikipedia, you may be a pack rat if:

1. You tend to hold onto a large number of items that most people would consider not useful or valuable.

2. Your home is so cluttered that many parts are inaccessible and can no longer be used for intended purpose.

3. The clutter and mess is so bad it causes illness, distress, and impairment.

A Pack Rat, otherwise known as a woodrat, is also “any of the species in the rodent genus Neotoma. Packrats have a rat-like appearance with long tails, large ears and large black eyes.” They are found mostly in the U.S. and Mexico, while some species have been found in parts of Canada. Most species live off of a green-vegetation diet, while some Mexican pack rats also nibble on “seeds, fruits, acorns, and cactus.”

So there you have it! Two different pack rats! Happy if you’re a rodent, not so happy if you’re a hoarder! While you’re reading, why not vote on today’s poll by clicking here!