A video depicting a large rat taking hold of her owner’s finger and leading them to display her newborn offspring is gaining popularity, reminding us of how little we truly comprehend rats – one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet.
Rats are very sociable creatures and communicate with each other using sounds that are too high for us to hear. They enjoy playing, cuddling, and wrestling with each other. Jaak Panksepp, a neuroscientist at Bowling Green State University, has observed that when rats play or are tickled, they make chirping sounds that resemble human laughter. The professor notes that “young rats have a great sense of fun.”
Similarly to humans, rats form lifelong bonds with their human companions. Therefore, sudden separation or neglect can result in their death from sadness. When rats are left without companionship, they can become lonely, anxious, stressed, and depressed.
The rat we see in the viral video is most likely a Giant Pouched rat. These rats are used in Africa to detect landmines, showcasing their remarkable intelligence.
