Rats can learn to steer a tiny, custom-built vehicle toward a reward. In a later report, some rats reportedly climbed into the car and pulled its lever before a trip—an intriguing sign of anticipation, but not proof that they experience driving as human-like fun.
Can rats drive cars?
Yes, in a limited, trained sense. University of Richmond researchers taught rats to operate a small vehicle and steer toward a goal. The task required learning a sequence of actions; it was not spontaneous human-style driving. The study, by L. E. Crawford and colleagues, first appeared online on October 16, 2019, and was published in the January 27, 2020 issue of Behavioural Brain Research as “Enriched environment exposure accelerates rodent driving skills.” PubMed: study record.
What did the tiny car look like, and how did the rats use it?
The vehicle was a lab-built research apparatus, not a consumer toy. A University of Richmond release described a clear plastic food container mounted on wheels, with an aluminum floor and three copper bars that functioned as a steering wheel. The rats learned to operate the controls to move toward a reward. University of Richmond: rat drivers.
The researchers posed a question about complex learning: as behavioral neuroscience professor Kelly Lambert put it, “We already knew that rodents could recognize objects, press bars, and find their way around mazes, but we wondered if rats could learn the more complex task of operating a moving vehicle,” Lambert said. University of Richmond release.
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What did the study find about enrichment and learning?
The published experiment compared male rats housed in enriched environments with male rats in standard housing. Enriched-housed rats showed more robust learning of the driving task, and their interest persisted during extinction trials—periods when the expected reward was no longer provided. The result concerns performance and persistence in this particular task; it does not establish that enrichment makes every rat learn every task faster. PubMed: study record.
Did driving make the rats happier or more resilient?
The researchers reported that fecal DHEA/corticosterone metabolite ratios increased in association with driving training across the animals. The authors interpreted the result as suggestive of enhanced markers of emotional resilience. That is a cautious interpretation of a biological measure in a rat study—not evidence that driving made the animals happy, treated stress-related illness, or would improve human mental health. PubMed: study record.
Rank #2
- Flexible: The built-in wire allows the small animal rope to be bent into different shapes
- Rat Toy: Climbing toy enables small animals to climb, play, and rest on it
- Polyester: Made of polyester, this rope toy for rats measures 39.37 inches long and 1.18 inches wide
- Easy to Install: This climbing toy for rats is easy to install and remove, allowing layout adjustments
- Cage Accessories: Rat climbing rope quickly creates a play space within the cage
Why do reports say rats love revving their engines?
A December 2024 Axios report described rats jumping into the vehicle and pulling its lever before a trip to a Froot Loop reward. It said two of three rats chose the car even though driving made the journey longer. Those observations are consistent with anticipation or a preference for the activity, but they are not a validated measure of subjective joy, and the three-rat observation should not be confused with the controlled housing comparison in the published study. Axios: rats and driving.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can rat driving research tell us?
Learning to operate a vehicle gives researchers a way to study more involved motor skills, motivation, and behavioral responses than a simple press or maze task may capture. The study offers a research model for asking how housing conditions relate to learning and persistence; it does not demonstrate a therapy or direct human benefit. The University of Richmond said the project drew coverage from 1,500 news outlets in 40 countries, a measure of media attention rather than scientific impact. Lambert said, “This project has created amazing opportunities for scientific outreach and education.” University of Richmond.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- You will get 2pcs realistic fake rats in 1pc black and 1pc gray color. The realistic mouse is about 22.00X7.00X4.20cm/8.65X2.75X1.65in, small in size and light in weight, allowing you to put it in a drawer, bag, or pocket, getting a pretty prank effect
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Rank #4
- Real Foraging, Keep Fresh: Hang the rat enrichment toys slightly above floor level, encouraging your rat to stretch or climb a bit — it adds an extra challenge and mimics real foraging. Try switching treats every few days to keep them curious and engaged
- Safe & Chew-Proof Design: Crafted from high-density thickened PVC, this rat cage accessories toy is sturdy, crack-proof, chew-resistant. It effectively prevents the ingestion of harmful substances, avoiding intestinal blockage and ensuring safety
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Rank #3
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