By Tim Binnall
A team of researchers in Virginia recently managed to teach rats to drive tiny cars in order to obtain a food reward. The remarkable study was reportedly conducted by University of Richmond scientists curious about the limits of the creatures' cognitive ability. In a clever test, the group built electric-powered, rat-sized cars that became mobile when the animals entered the vehicle and could be steered using a bar contained in the proverbial driver's seat.
The scientists proceeded to reward the rats with a piece of food when they made the car move and then began placing the treat at various difficult-to-reach places within the test area to how the rodents would respond. Amazingly, it would appear that the creatures overcame the challenge with surprising ease. Lead scientist Kelly Lambert observed that "they learned to navigate the car in unique ways and engaged in steering patterns they had never used to eventually arrive at the reward."
A subsequent study of the hormones produced by the rats following the tests seemed to indicate a reduced stress level in the creatures. The scientists behind the experiment theorize that the rodents were experiencing a similar phenomenon seen in humans after they accomplish a difficult task. They argue that their conclusion is bolstered by the fact that rats which were 'chauffered' around in remote-controlled cars showed more stress than their counterparts that drove themselves.