How Rats Help Humans
WouterRats are highly social animals and have the ability to bond with humans. They will groom their human guardians and appreciate simple gestures, like a scratch behind the ears or a pet massage. They are also known for their neophobia, which means they are afraid of new things. Fortunately, they are not prone to killing themselves.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have conducted experiments to study how rats help humans. They found that humans and rats may share the same neural bias. They believe that altruism is motivated by social bonding and familiarity rather than guilt. However, they are hesitant to label the behavior as “pro-social,” because they are unable to accurately measure the rat’s motivation.
Rats are nocturnal and will leave their nests at dusk. They are also excellent swimmers. In the wild, rats will hide in hollowed out trees or in old logs. They will also burrow into the ground to find shelter. Unlike mice, rats can survive in large numbers without humans knowing they are there.
In a recent study, researchers found that the neural basis of empathy in rats was linked to regions in the orbitofrontal cortex and the anterior insula. Furthermore, the nucleus accumbens, which contains serotonin and dopamine, was associated with the decision to help other rats. The study involved 60 pairs of rats. One rat was placed in a transparent cylinder while the other rat was placed in another cage. The rats were monitored for two weeks.
