According to new research, rats choose carefully who they spend time with. The study, which has been published by researchers at the Universities of Portsmouth and Lincoln, found that male rats have preferred mates in their groups and also decide who to avoid.
Previous research showed that female rats did not form friendships with other females, so the findings in this article are surprising.
Researcher Leanne Proops, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, explained that “discovering that male rats do not associate with other rats at random, but instead seek out their preferred cage mates and actively avoid others shows that rats are similar in this regard to other species such as birds, primates and bats. “
For her part, researcher Teresa Romero, from the University of Lincoln, added that “what is particularly interesting about this work is that it contrasts with the available evidence on social behavior in rats and, therefore, has important implications for the management and the welfare of rat populations “.
Study development
The researchers observed the behavior of 27 male rats in four groups over a period of three months.
Although rats have been described to be primarily nocturnal, they can also be active during the day. The researchers observed every two minutes whether the rats were in close body contact or close to each other while resting or having friendly interactions.
Conclusions
The scientists found that male rats can maintain their preferences over time, at least for a period of a few months.
“It has been known for some time that animals such as baboons, horses and house mice form friendships between people of the same sex, which positively affects their reproductive success and their life expectancy. However, despite 150 years of breeding rats, we still know surprisingly little about their behavior or natural social organization, “added Romero.
Animals can develop social preferences for particular group mates depending on a number of factors. For example, giraffes and some primates bond with their family members, while brown capuchin monkeys often choose friends based on their personality traits.
“Our results may have important implications for the management and welfare of these animals,” concluded researcher Proops.
Leanne Proops et al, Non-Random Associations in Group Housed Rats (Rattus norvegicus), Scientific Reports (2021). DOI: 10.1038 / s41598-021-94608-4
