beesmygod:currentsinbiology:Rats forsake chocolate to save a drowning companion A new study shows th
beesmygod:currentsinbiology:Rats forsake chocolate to save a drowning companion A new study shows that rats will rescue their distressed pals from the drink—even when they’re offered chocolate instead. They’re also more likely to help when they’ve had an unpleasant swimming experience of their own, adding to growing evidence that the rodents feel empathy.Researchers at the Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan tested the rat’s altruistic behavior by devising an experimental box with two compartments divided by a transparent partition. On one side of the box, a rat was forced to swim in a pool of water, which it strongly disliked. Although not at risk of drowning—the animal could cling to a ledge—it did have to tread water for up to 5 minutes. The only way the rodent could escape its watery predicament was if a second rat—sitting safe and dry on a platform—pushed open a small round door separating the two sides, letting it climb onto dry land.Within a few days, the high-and-dry rats were regularly aiding their soaking companions by opening the door, the team reports online today in Animal Cognition. They did not open the door when the pool was dry, confirming that the rats were helping in response to others’ distress, rather than because they wanted company, Mason says. Rats that had previously been immersed learned how to save their cagemates much more quickly than those who had never been soaked, suggesting that empathy drove their behavior, she adds. “Not only does the rat recognize distress, but he is even more moved to act because he remembers being in that situation.”Given a choice between eating chocolate and helping a pal, rats make the noble decision. Sato, N. et al., Animal Cognition (2015)rats are officially nicer than me -- source link