[1][2] The island gained attention in 2010 when the Puerto Rican Bird Society made it a target for the eradication of the black rat.

The island, sometimes erroneously considered a key (or cay),[3] is located 0.62 mi (1.0 km) south of the mainland Puerto Rican shore across from Punta Cucharas in barrio Canas.

[8] The short distance from the mainland shore makes Ratones a popular landing point for aquatic events such as kayaking.

[18] The name Ratones, which translates into "mice", comes from the large number of rodents found in the island.

In 2010, the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican Bird Society) and the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club launched a campaign to eradicate the black rat from the Island.