Rats scare some people because they’re often associated with diseases, damage, poor hygiene, etc. However, they’re intelligent animals.
Moreover, they’re fast, curious learners with a strong memory. Some studies claim that rats grasp complex concepts, and once they learn something, they never forget it.
Learning about the impressive cognitive abilities of these rodents can help you deal with a rat infestation or understand your pet rat better, so let’s discuss rats.
How Smart Are Rats?
Many people have shown interest in adopting rats recently.
As their popularity as home pets increases, so does the question: “How smart are rats?” Well, rats show high levels of intelligence. Moreover, you can train rats because they’re smart and have a great memory.
Now, let’s learn more about rats and their cognitive abilities.
Rats Have High Intelligence Levels
Rats aren’t just smart–they’re among the smartest animals on earth.
These intelligent rodents can make decisions based on their knowledge and experience about their situation. This cognitive ability is known as metacognition.
Moreover, rats have smaller brains than humans. However, they’re made and operate in similar ways.
You Can Easily Train These Rodents
You can teach pet rats the same tricks that dogs and other highly intelligent animals learn.
Surprisingly, most rats love learning new tricks and things. That’s how they show off for their favorite humans and prove their skills.
In other words, you can train a rat like a pet dog with treats and positive reinforcement. Some tricks you can teach your pet rat include jumping through hoops, racing through a maze, etc.
Rats Can Bond With Their Owners
Rats aren’t solitary animals. They like hanging out with their fellow rats. Most rats enjoy spending time with their owners but should have a connection with their kind for a happy life.
Rats also have their way of communicating. They use a high frequency that people can’t hear. Still, you can know they’re communicating by their body language.
When these rodents veer toward one another and start hanging out without a particular reason, they communicate.
Rats can also have a strong bond with their owners. They’re affectionate pets and social animals. When people spend with their rats, their bond strengthens.
When shown love, rats return the favor; they cuddle with their owners and make bizarre noises with their teeth. When rats grind their teeth out of joy, it’s called bruxing; it’s their way of purring.
Rats Require Mental Stimulation
If you’re considering adopting a rat, you should know that rats need mental and physical stimulation. In other words, you should make your pet rat’s life interesting.
Otherwise, your pet rat will become unhappy and escape your home. You can entertain your pet rat with toys, tubes, perches, etc.
They Show Empathy for Other Rats
Some studies suggest that many rats care about their fellow rats.
In the studies, they’ve shown compassion and empathy for other rats. The lab rats rejected the treats given during tests if they saw another rat in trouble or pain.
So, rats also understand when a fellow rat experiences pain and will respond when they believe their family’s in danger.
How Smart Are Rats Compared to Humans?
Some of the smartest species on earth include bottlenose dolphins, chimpanzees, dogs, pigs, octopuses, pigeons, and, you’ve guessed it, rats.
A Ph.D. study at KU Leuven University in Belgium suggests that rats and humans have similar brains.
The study was carried out by Dr. Ben Vermaercke and his co-workers and showed that although the rat brain’s smaller and less complex than the human brain, they both have many connected neurons that constantly communicate.
Therefore, rats aren’t smarter than humans. However, they’re one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet and make great pets.
Can Rats Understand Humans?
Most rats establish strong connections with their owners. Moreover, rats recognize their favorite humans and love hanging out with their human families.
Are Rats Emotionally Intelligent?
Studies suggest that rats have emotional intelligence.
When given treats during tests, rats would rather starve than accept food when another animal shows suffering and pain. They choose to help their fellow rat rather than eat the treats.
Although rats aren’t as big as dogs, cats, and other pets, they’re still capable of learning tricks and understanding concepts.
They’re capable of thinking about different things and taking action accordingly.
What About Their Memory?
Like elephants, rats have a great memory. Their eyesight isn’t amazing. However, once rats memorize a navigation path, they never forget it.
Moreover, these little rodents remember and love their owners and fellow rats. They’re social animals who can easily bond with both people and other animals.
Can Rats Laugh?
Studies by Jaak Panksepp at Bowling Green State University have found that rats make chirping sounds when playing with people or being tickled.
These sounds resemble human laughter, so technically, rats can laugh. Also, the rats in these studies connected socially with the tickler and even asked for more tickles.
Can Rats Feel Love?
Rats care about their rat family and human family. They easily bond with their fellow rats and caretakers.
Moreover, when rats feel loved by their humans, they return the favor by grooming their hands. Cats also love cuddles, scratches behind the ears, and tickles.
Male rats usually show happiness when sleeping in a human’s lap. They enjoy cuddling with their owners. On the other hand, female rats show affection and happiness around their owners, but they’re more energetic.
Most rats like kind people and often bounce around for their attention. Finally, most rats bond with their favorite people to the point that if they’re given away or abandoned, they can grieve and even die.
Conclusion
Some scientists examine rat brains because they resemble our brains with highly connected neurons.
Learning about the mind of rodents can help rat control professionals detect infestations and determine the proper removal and prevention methods.
In short, rats aren’t as smart as humans. However, they’re one of the smartest species alive.
Recommended Reading: