Rats and Mice Laugh Just Like Us – Fascinating Research You Should Know

Rats and laughter are rarely paired together, but scientists have revealed that surprises abound – rats laughter when they are tickled, and younger mice even show signs of playfulness. These findings represent some of the most heartwarming findings of animal behaviour.

Do Rats Really Laugh?

he answer is yes. Jaak Panksepp, and other researchers have shown that when rats are tickled they produce rat high-pitch sounds. While these sounds are called ultrasonic, and inaudible to the human ear without listening devices, they can be said to be the rat version of giggles.

What is even more astounding is that rats do, in fact, enjoy being tickled. In some experiments tested, rats chased the hand of the researcher, almost as if begging to be tickled even more. This display of behavior suggests that these rats were not simply refexing, but rather were filled with joy.

The Emotional Side of Rodents

Rats, unlike other animals, do have feelings. Rodents are lacking in the capacity to comprehend emotional feelings such as love, happiness, or sad. That being said, when these rodents are being tickled, they effectively laugh, and form bonds. Just like human children, baby rats squeak, and play more often. This behavior is also caused by the reward center in the brain, reinforcing the thought towards the notion of rat happiness.

Even mice, which are normally thought of as timid creatures, seem to enjoy themselves during tickling tests. This changes our perspective on rodents. They are not simply vermin lying about in. They are emotionally, socially, and playfully complex

Why This Discovery Matters

Learning that rats and mice laugh when being tickled informs us that joy is not exclusive to humans. It is a feeling that transcends different species, even to those that we often take for granted. It impresses upon us the need to be kinder when thinking of animals.

The next time someone mentions rats as filthy vermin, you will be in a position to correct them: somewhere, a little rat is possibly squeaking with joy while being tickled. And that is a true statement deserving a smile.

References

• National Geographic – Rats laugh when tickled, study finds

• Nature – Ultrasonic vocalizations as rat laughter during tickling

• Science News – The giggles of tickled rats reveal playfulness

• NPR – Rats giggle when tickled, researchers say

• Smithsonian Magazine – Rats can laugh and they love to be tickled