Pack Rat Day
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Overview
Pack Rat Day, observed annually on May 17th, is an unofficial holiday that playfully acknowledges individuals who have a strong tendency to save, collect, and accumulate items. While the term "pack rat" originates from the animal known for its collecting habits, the day humorously celebrates or gently pokes fun at the human inclination to hold onto possessions, sometimes leading to cluttered spaces or a reluctance to discard things, even those no longer needed.
Origin and story
The term "pack rat" is derived from the *Neotoma* genus of rodents (also known as woodrats), native to North America, which are known for collecting various objects and storing them in their nests.
These actual pack rats are particularly fond of shiny items but will collect almost anything they can carry, including bits of trash, food, or decorative objects.
Quick facts
- DateMay 17
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Real pack rats don't just hoard clutter — their nests have become one of the best tools scientists have for reconstructing what the climate looked like tens of thousands of years ago.
Learn how rat pee builds a time capsule
Pack rats, of the genus Neotoma, gather plant material and debris into nests and then urinate on the pile. The urine crystallizes as it dries, hardening the whole nest — called a midden — into a rock-like mass that can preserve its contents for tens of thousands of years.
See what these middens reveal
The oldest known middens are around 45,000 years old, predating the last Ice Age. Scientists analyze the preserved plants inside to reconstruct past droughts, vegetation shifts, and climate swings across the Southwestern U.S. and beyond, making pack rats accidental record-keepers of deep time.
Do your own small-scale decluttering
In the human sense of the term, use the day to sort through your own "midden" — old boxes, drawers, or files — and decide what's actually worth keeping.
Helpful resources: How Can Little Critters Teach Us About Climate? (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information)
Fun facts
- The term "pack rat" is derived from the *Neotoma* genus of rodents (also known as woodrats), native to North America, which are known for collecting various objects and storing them in their nests.
- These actual pack rats are particularly fond of shiny items but will collect almost anything they can carry, including bits of trash, food, or decorative objects.
- Culturally, being called a "pack rat" describes a person who habitually saves items, often more than they need, which can result in cluttered living or working spaces.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Pack Rat Day?
- It is observed on May 17 each year.
- What is Pack Rat Day?
- Pack Rat Day, observed annually on May 17th, is an unofficial holiday that playfully acknowledges individuals who have a strong tendency to save, collect, and accumulate items. While the term "pack rat" originates from the animal known for its collecting habits, the day humorously celebrates or gently pokes fun at the human inclination to hold onto possessions, sometimes leading to cluttered spaces or a reluctance to discard things, even those no longer needed.
- How do people celebrate Pack Rat Day?
- Read about how real pack rats build crystallized nests called middens, which scientists use to reconstruct climate history going back tens of thousands of years.
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