From: "Rich Gauszka" 


"Mark"  wrote in message
news:44860c9d$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/769
> "The Indian army is fighting an enemy it hasn't faced in nearly half a
> century. No, it's not fighting off British colonialists, nor is it a clash
> with neighboring Pakistan. It's rats. Millions and millions of rats. You
> know...mean, aggressive rodents of unusual size -- the dirty, grey, fuzzy
> kind that are led by their long whiskers as they scuttle around making a
> "thp-thp-thp" noise. Every 48 years..."
>
> I've heard of the 17-year locusts, but 48-year rats? 
>
>

Looks like it may be tied to the 48 year cycle of bamboo flowering that
causes horny rats

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=63721

Bamboo, a giant tropical grass with hollow stems, does not normally flower.
Agriculture scientists say bamboo flowers increase the fertility of rats.
When this unusual phenomenon takes place, the rodent population goes up.
The rats go berserk, feasting on everything that comes their way.

Agriculture Minister Rammawi said: "The rare phenomenon of bamboo
flowering is a cyclical one and occurs every 48 years. So 2007 is the year
when we expect a famine and there are early warnings already about the
impending catastrophe."

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5