As landmarks go, a rodent-shaped hole in a Chicago pavement is probably not the best of what the United States has to offer.

However, pilgrims came from across the country to visit the blemish on the unassuming Roscoe Village street, leaving small gifts and coins in the crevice affectionately named “Rat Hole”.

In 2024, Chicagoans voted to officially christen the shape “Splatatouille”.

But now, scientists say the moniker may be a misnomer and that the legend behind it – the tale of an unfortunate rat falling into wet concrete – is not the case.

Analysis of the shape by a team of scientists has revealed it was likely caused by a squirrel, not a rat.