Rats!

Recently eaten: rainbow trout
Recent annoyance: runny nose

I came across this article about the nasty phenomenon of the rat king. According to the wikipedia entry, "Rat kings are cryptozoological phenomena said to arise when a number of rats become intertwined at their tails, which become stuck together with blood, dirt, and excrement. The animals consequently grow together while joined at the tails, which are often broken. The phenomenon is particularly associated with Germany, where the majority of instances have been reported."

Okay, what?! That is one of the nastiest things I have ever heard of. The question is whether this monstrosity could have survived very long in that state. I think I saw a rat king once, and it was in the dining room at Polly's on U Street.

Blech.