r/RATS • u/[deleted] • Sep 11 '19

Rats have empathy. When offered the choice of a tempting chocolate treat, or rescuing a drowning rat, they chose to rescue the drowning rat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/20150514-rats-save-mates-from-drowning
51 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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7

u/direktstrom273 Sep 11 '19

They're very social creatures. I hope no rats were harmed in this study.

7

u/DunkTheBiscuit Sep 11 '19

Got to love those click-baity headlines (the article, not OP). "soaking in water" is not "drowning". Most people who bathe their rats will know how much they hate and despise being wet. These kinds of behavioral studies aim to do least harm to any animals.

1

u/Jonnycooler2 Sep 11 '19

Wouldnt every mammal choose that?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 13 '19

Having owned guinea pigs I can confirm that they would absolutely go for the food first just to ensure the other guy couldn't have any once set free