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The rats survived but cats and birds did not

posted 7 years ago by epa101
6 replies | jump to latest

Towards the end of the film, there's a scene where they are eating rats. The large number in the barrel suggests that the rat species has not become extinct. Shortly afterwards, there's the scene where they're watching TV and learning about the skeletons of cats and birds. I've taken this to mean that cats and birds have become extinct, and there are only bones of them left now.

If the cats and birds died out, why did the rats survive?

My knowledge of biology is negligible. Just genuinely curious as to whether this is plausible or just a mistake.

[–] greg-233 7 years ago

"If the cats and birds died out, why did the rats survive?"

Rats are very resistant to radiation, and they can eat just about anything. They're one of the few species that would thrive after a nuclear holocaust. I don't think cats and birds necessarily died out, it's just that their numbers were down. Those children watching the "Words and Pictures" video would probably have seen more human skeletons than cat and bird skeletons, and humans hadn't died out. (At least, not yet.) Also, in the scene where Ruth's daughter was tending a fire she had a rabbit with her shortly before those two boys, Gaz and Spike, turned up.

[–] epa101 7 years ago

Thanks for the response, Greg. That all makes sense to me.

[–] PeterMarkoff 7 years ago

besides being resistant to radiation, they are also protected by their usual living environment from impact unlike birds and partially cats as well

[–] greg-233 7 years ago

The first James Herbert novel I ever read was Domain, the third book in his "Rats" trilogy.

The long-dreaded nuclear conflict. The city torn apart, shattered, its people destroyed or mutilated beyond hope. For just a few, survival is possible only beneath the wrecked streets - if there is time to avoid the slow-descending poisonous ashes. But below, the rats, demonic offspring of their irradiated forebears, are waiting. They know that Man is weakened, become frail. Has become their prey . . .

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Domain-James-Herbert/dp/0330522086

[–] Ite 7 years ago

The TV thing was pre-Apocalypse as well.

[–] millsey72 (9551) 2 years ago

The rats ate all the cats and birds