Online user finds spooky object dangling from ceiling

A Reddit user sparked chaos online after sharing a photo of a creepy object hanging from their ceiling — and it turned out to be something much worse than anyone expected – a rat’s tail.

On April 15, a Reddit user going by the handle Takuraiii_ posted a photo of something odd poking through a gap in their ceiling. The post appeared in the popular subreddit “What is this thing?” and showed a dark, hairless object hanging down. The caption read simply: “Noticed this sticking out from my ceiling – what is it?”

That short message and unsettling image were enough to ignite a frenzy online. Within hours, the post had over 35,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. Some people were curious. Others were horrified. And many just wanted answers.

The internet reacts

As the photo made its rounds, Reddit users came up with every theory possible. Some thought it was a lizard tail. Others guessed an opossum or even an armadillo was hiding in the ceiling. One user joked, “Burn the house down.” Another replied, “It’s got little hairs sticking out. No way I’m touching it with bare hands.”

People cracked jokes, referenced movies like Ratatouille and An American Tail, and even suggested wild ideas like “tickling it” to see what would happen.

But things got creepier when the original poster updated everyone with this message: “It moves so it’s probably not dead.”

And then, just like that, the object disappeared.

The mystery solved

By the next day, the Reddit user returned with an update: “After a heck-ton of comments saying it’s a rat’s tail, I can now confirm that it is a rat’s tail. I’ll be calling an exterminator soon.”

Experts and commenters warned that rats are rarely alone. One user quoted the common saying, “When there’s one, there’s a hundred you can’t see.” According to PBS Nature, this might be true—rats are social animals and usually live in groups.

Rodent infestations are more common than we think

While the post was funny to some and creepy to others, it highlighted a real issue. Rats and mice can sneak into homes through small gaps and live quietly in ceilings, walls, and attics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that rodents can carry diseases like hantavirus, which spreads through contact with rodent droppings or urine. Tragically, this virus was linked to the death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, earlier this year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says signs of a rodent problem may include:

• Small droppings
• Chewed food packages
• Holes in walls or floors
• Nests made of paper or fabric
• A strong, stale smell

“You may never see a rat unless the infestation is serious,” the agency warns.

This bizarre post reminded people to check their homes—and their ceilings. What started as an internet mystery turned into a warning about unwanted houseguests and how to spot them early.

The next time you hear something scratching above your head, don’t ignore it. And if you see a mystery tail dangling from the ceiling, maybe it’s time to call pest control… and not Reddit.