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Today is Riff-Raff's second birthday, which is roughly sixty in human years. Yes, he is named with reference to the classic AC/DC song. In honour of said rodent, a member of one of the most intelligent species on the planet, a position which is hotly debated of course, but certainly within the top dozen, which is pretty impressive for their size (we may also include chimpanzees, orangutans, pigs, bottlenose dolphins, the viened octopus elephants, crows, dogs, and squirrels). Good collection of videos available on Ranker, including some surprises.
However over the years there is research evidence a couple of abilities of the rattus norvegicus mind which are really quite extraordinary, and which concur with my personal observations (without any rigour, of course). The first is a study from 2007 which shows that said species has metacognition; they think about thinking and, as a result of this they know what they do not know, and will not take unncessary risks as a result. The method used (duration-discrimination) to test this was really quite clever; reported on both popular science media and the academic journal article. Rats are the only non-primate species that have been shown to have this ability thus far.
Over the past several years there has been a number of articles relating to altruistic and empathic behaviour in rats. A most recent test however showed that the rat was prepared to rescue a trapped colleague, even forgoing chocolate rewards (a big deal for rats). As usual the journal article is drier, but with greater detail, although Wired does show that a picture is worth a thousand words.
However over the years there is research evidence a couple of abilities of the rattus norvegicus mind which are really quite extraordinary, and which concur with my personal observations (without any rigour, of course). The first is a study from 2007 which shows that said species has metacognition; they think about thinking and, as a result of this they know what they do not know, and will not take unncessary risks as a result. The method used (duration-discrimination) to test this was really quite clever; reported on both popular science media and the academic journal article. Rats are the only non-primate species that have been shown to have this ability thus far.
Over the past several years there has been a number of articles relating to altruistic and empathic behaviour in rats. A most recent test however showed that the rat was prepared to rescue a trapped colleague, even forgoing chocolate rewards (a big deal for rats). As usual the journal article is drier, but with greater detail, although Wired does show that a picture is worth a thousand words.
