“What Is That?!”: Reddit Freaks Out Over Creepy Ceiling Tail
On April 15, Reddit user Takuraiii_ posted a bizarre photo on the subreddit “What is this thing?”—showing a dark, hairless, stringy object poking through their ceiling tiles. The simple caption:
“Noticed this sticking out from my ceiling—what is it?”
The internet exploded.
Within hours, over 35,000 upvotes and thousands of guesses poured in. Some thought it was a rat’s tail, others joked about possums, lizards, or even cursed objects.
Then came the horror:
“It moves so it’s probably not dead,” the OP revealed.
From Jokes to “Burn the House Down”
Redditors had a field day:
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“It’s Remy from Ratatouille… but NYC edition.”
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“Tickle it.”
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“Lick it.”
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“Just burn the house down.”
Eventually, the OP returned with an update:
It was a rat’s tail.
The critter had disappeared—but not forgotten. As one user warned:
“If there’s one, there’s a hundred you can’t see.”
A Viral Laugh, A Real Issue
While the story sparked laughs, it highlights a real concern. Hidden rodent infestations can cause health risks. According to the CDC, rats can carry diseases like hantavirus, which sadly claimed the life of Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife, in early 2025.
Watch for Signs of Rodents:
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Droppings
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Nesting materials
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Chewed food packaging
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Strange smells or scratching sounds
This viral mystery reminded everyone: sometimes the creepiest things aren’t under the bed—they’re above your head.
