I wonder if Queerrats are in fact just "Humans without powers"

After all, the humans we follow have been genetically modified, they are under strong brainwashing and hypnosis.
What if what they see as Queerrats are in fact humans that totally look like themselves? Particularly the tall Queerrats?

They might also all be Queerrats, that would explain the cat being such a threat. Maybe the scientists decided the rats were the only race that had enough environmental adaptability, their social interaction right (to them), and they could manipulate them.
Or maybe they enhanced the race and transfered human "spirits" in Queerrats as Mankind was dying. That could explain how and why everyone sees themselves and others as humans, provided they are brainwashed.

I did not pay attention to the size of tree leafs compared to hands and such. Just to know wether they really are smaller than your average human being. If the cats shadow is an indication, I'd say 30% of your average human being.