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rpannier

(24,330 posts)
Sat Oct 26, 2019, 07:48 AM Oct 2019

Watch: Scientists have taught rats to drive - and they love it

A team of researchers at the University of Richmond have taught rats to drive mini-cars - and not only are the rodents good at it, they enjoy it too.

The scientists built the rat-sized vehicles out of clear plastic food containers, with three copper bars that served as a steering wheel.

snip

“We already knew that rodents could recognise objects, press bars, and find their way around mazes, but we wondered if rats could learn the more complex task of operating a moving vehicle,” said Kelly Lambert, professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Richmond.

snip

The study found that the rats actually felt more relaxed after driving, with heightened levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the hormone that counteracts stress.

https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/26/watch-scientists-have-taught-rats-to-drive-and-they-love-it


More relaxed after driving? I'll have to unlock my inner rat after driving, because I certainly am not

on edit: the video is kind of cute

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Watch: Scientists have taught rats to drive - and they love it (Original Post) rpannier Oct 2019 OP
That is cute. I always thought me wanting to drive no dewsgirl Oct 2019 #1
The Researchers Should Simulate Rush Hour Traffic... global1 Oct 2019 #2
Instead of 'Road Rage'.... mbusby Oct 2019 #3
Saving for later. Cracklin Charlie Oct 2019 #4
Can they teach humans to drive too? Marthe48 Oct 2019 #5
How soon will they be delivering Amazon Prime? intrepidity Oct 2019 #6
That's what we need for the full happiness-driving rats. LisaL Oct 2019 #7
Rats are very smart and also very loving creatures. nt UniteFightBack Oct 2019 #8
Put that rat in some traffic and we'll see how 'happy' they are after a ride. UniteFightBack Oct 2019 #9

dewsgirl

(14,961 posts)
1. That is cute. I always thought me wanting to drive no
Sat Oct 26, 2019, 07:57 AM
Oct 2019

matter who I am with, meant I was a control freak. Maybe there is more to it.

global1

(25,257 posts)
2. The Researchers Should Simulate Rush Hour Traffic...
Sat Oct 26, 2019, 08:04 AM
Oct 2019

and see what kind of hormones the rats secrete. You know - the Rat-Race!!!!!!

I wonder if they would observe some roadrage?

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