Empathy and Pro-Social Behavior in Rats (s2)

Movie S2: Learning to open the door. Activity of the same free rat on days 1, 5, and 12 of the paradigm is shown. On day 1, the rat does not open the restrainer and 5 min of activity is shown at 20 times real time speed. On day 5, the rat opens the restrainer door for the first time 25 min into the session. Note the momentary startle at the door falling and the extended interaction with the liberated rat. On day 12, the rat opens the restrainer within the first minute. There is no startle and much less interaction between the two rats. Activity from days 5 and 12 are shown at real time. Rats Feel Each Other’s Pain - Rats Feel Each Other’s Pain - Helping Your Fellow Rat: Rodents Show Empathy-Driven Behavior The first evidence of empathy-driven helping behavior in rodents has been observed in laboratory rats that repeatedly free companions from a restraint, according to a new study by Universi