March Ratness Final Fur Tournament at Virginia Science Museum

What:
Just like this year’s March Madness NCAA Tournament has been unpredictable, the Science Museum of Virginia’s March Ratness Final Fur Tournament has the potential for exciting shots, stunning upsets and unlikely champions.

Yes, you read that correctly, Museum educators have trained female Norway Rats to pick up a small plastic ball and put it through a simulated basketball hoop.

For the 10th year, the Museum will have its whiskered players represent the final teams of their college compatriots as they go head-to-head in three one-minute basketball games.

The event includes announcer commentary, music to get the crowd pumped, rat basketball trivia and more. Plus, guests who correctly predict the final winner will be entered into a prize drawing.

Photo: Science Museum of Virginia

When:
The annual March Ratness tip-off is Friday, March 30, at 11 a.m.

Who:
Guests of all ages are invited to wear team colors, bring pom poms and cheer for their favorite rodent.

March Ratness is included with Museum admission.

How:
While guests sit courtside, they will learn about the classical and operant conditioning techniques used to train the furry rodents for March Ratness.

Rats have been playing basketball at the Museum since 2004. Since the Museum started hosting Final Fur, the rats’ tournament has accurately predicted the men’s NCAA champion two times.

The four rats competing in this year’s tournament came to the Museum in October 2017. Since then, they have been training for March Ratness. Inez is the favored player as she holds the Museum record for being the fastest rodent to ever learn to play rat basketball in only 14 days!