Playing with Rats for Science
In a new study illuminating playful behavior in animals, scientists taught rats to play a simplified, rat-versus-human version of hide-and-seek.
Rats picked up the game within a week or two and learned how to alternate between hiding and seeking roles. Rather than offering food, the researchers rewarded successful hiding and seeking behaviors with playful social interactions, such as tickling and petting.
Read more about playful rats at my Animal Minds blog: Rats and Researchers Play Hide-and-Seek.
Playful Meerkats Mirror One Another's Expressions
When two animals are play fighting, how do they avoid misunderstandings and communicate to one another that they’re not serious? One way meerkats do it is by making a special facial expression - and mimicking the facial expressions of their playmates.
Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Playful Meerkats Mirror One Another's Expressions.
