Can Rats Call For Help?
WouterCan rats call for help? A new study by scientists at the University of Chicago suggests that they do. They found that rats consistently released their companions trapped in clear restrainers. This suggests that the animals’ behavior is driven by empathy. In the study, two strains of rats were used, one of which was an albino rat. They were tested daily for 12 days.
The researchers set up an experiment where they put the rats in a cage for an hour every day. The rats had previously spent two weeks together in a cage, so they knew each other quite well. They were able to recognize each other when they first met. When the rats first met, they were able to open the door of the trapped rat by accident. Typically, the rat froze up in fright when the door fell over, but after seven days, they learned to do it intentionally.
Rats are thought to have empathy, and it is possible that they can call out for help if they are threatened. This behavior has been observed in both albino and black-hooded rats. Interestingly, this ability is largely reliant on social experiences. If a rat has positive social experiences with a stranger, he or she may be willing to help them out of empathy. This behavior also extends to rats of the same strain.
Rats are very resilient and hardy creatures. Despite their size, they are able to survive on less than an ounce of food a day. Because of this, they prefer to live in homes, restaurants, and private yards. They are also willing to eat almost anything, from food scraps to trash bags. You should be aware of this fact and take action accordingly.
