Chicago ‘Splatatouille’ was probably a squirrel, say researchers

Concrete evidence: the unusual imprint was removed in 2024 when city officials decided sections of the pavement needed to be replaced. Photograph: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/AP

With a front paw outstretched and its tail at an angle, the creature that fell on to wet concrete in Chicago left quite the memento mori.

Now, researchers say they have unmasked the identity of the victim, revealing the famous “rat hole” was most probably made by a squirrel.