Attitudes towards the species blamed for spreading diseases such as the plague certainly differ around the world.

At the Karni Mata temple in India, the rats are shown the highest respect, even worshipped. The thousands of furry rodents living in the six hundred year old temple can often be sighted sharing food and drink with the locals.

Despite their fearsome reputation, no illnesses have been reported as a result. However, we don’t advice inviting a family of rats to your dinner table anytime soon.