Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Rats Laugh When You Tickle Them

I'm going to show this video at lecture in a couple of weeks. I find it mesmerizing.


UPDATE: I found a link to the original research article describing this study, and there's also an interesting NY Times article on laughter.

5 comments:

Kwirkie said...

That is wonderful. It warmedmy heart because I have always believed that animals are capable of feeling deeper emotions than we give them credit for. Thanks for sharing that.

Author! Author! said...

Well, I want to know an awful lot more about how they tested them for pleasure...Is that the part where they tickle them with electrodes in their brains?

Cuz it sounded to me like the rat was saying "Hey, cut that out. I'm warning you. One more time and I'll nip ya. Hey where you going...don't make me come after you...make with the raisins, Jackson."

Mooselet said...

Personally, I think it's "A little to the left... lower... lower.... ah, that's the spot!"

I hate rats generally, but they look cute there.

Author! Author! said...

Cool...I'm gonna present this for our next journal club...cuz glutamate transporters are just too dang dull!

BlueBugg said...

wow! that's fascinating! and very sweet :)