It is more than proven that living in environments that never change and from which it is absolutely impossible to escape generates tremendous boredom in humans , who need to feel motivated. But can this statement also apply to animals that live in cages such as hamsters and other pets? The new research reveals that animals in confined and empty spaces avidly seek stimulation, approaching whatever object is offered three times faster even if it scares them – symptoms that denote boredom. They also eat more sweets than those who inhabit spaces with abundant stimuli. And the more time they spend awake but doing nothing, the faster they respond the moment any new stimulus is placed in their habitat. "We cannot measure the subjective experience of what boredom means for these animals, but we can affirm that when stimuli are provided they seek them with much more desire and at a faster rate than others that live in freedom or in larger spaces and with multiple stimuli, "says Rebecca Meagher, co-author of the study, which concludes with her colleagues that it is a clear sign of boredom .
Researchers say that very little is known scientifically about boredom, despite the fact that it is associated with many adverse consequences for health and well-being.
