(Detail of photo posted by Andrew Goldston on Twitter)
For some time, the lore of Pizza Rat reigned supreme over the subways and streets of Manhattan. But this morning, a truly worthy competitor strolled into town, ready to take the crown. Meet: Croissant Squirrel.
Andrew Goldston, press secretary for Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, tweeted a photo of the little rascal making off with the fluffy French delight at New York City Hall this morning.
Okay internet, I give you…Croissant Squirrel pic.twitter.com/mIy96FQKXq
— Andrew Goldston (@thegoldston) July 10, 2018
Is the upgrade from dollar-slice pizza to puffy pastry a sign of the changing tides? Writer Megan Downey seems to think so.
Pizza rat got gentrified out of his neighborhood while this hipster sips single-origin cold brew with his French pastry at a pop up coffee collective that “has a good vibe” https://t.co/cViL2dHifi
— Megan Downey (@clowneydowney) July 10, 2018
However, it seems this is not the New York squirrel’s first foray into baked goods. The West Side Rag reported a Croissant Squirrel sighting back in 2015. Still, it remains to be seen whether the Croissant Squirrel can dethrone Pizza Rat as the city’s supreme urban pest, given the enduring myth of the cheesy rodent. Maybe give it some time.
In any case, if this sparked your interest in the bushy-tailed creature, feel free to check out this squirrel-filled history of the city, courtesy of our friends at New York.