Rats Behind the Wheel

Scientists have discovered something incredible about our tiny rodent friends. Rats aren't just smart enough to drive cars—they actually enjoy it so much that they'll choose the scenic route, even when it means waiting longer for their treats.

The Rat-Mobile

Dr. Kelly Lambert, a neuroscientist who champions better living conditions for laboratory animals, created special rat-sized vehicles with steering mechanisms and tiny pedals. These weren't just simple toys, but actual working vehicles that the rats could control.

The rats learned to drive surprisingly fast. They figured out how to push the pedal to move forward and steer toward special treats. What makes this experiment stand out is that it was completely gentle—no harm came to the rats during their driving lessons.

Driving Makes Rats Happier

During the experiment, researchers checked hormone levels in the rats' droppings to see how driving affected their emotions. The results were amazing. Learning to drive made the rats more emotionally strong and lowered their stress levels.

This is similar to how humans feel after mastering a new skill. There's that boost of confidence that comes with accomplishment. The rats experienced the same feeling.

Joy Rides Over Quick Treats

Here's where things get really interesting. When given a choice between walking directly to a treat or taking a longer driving route to get there, many rats chose the scenic route. They picked the longer journey just for the fun of it!

Researchers also found that rats got excited just thinking about their next driving lesson. Many of them eagerly jumped into their cars before training even began. This shows that rats, like humans, can feel joy from anticipating fun activities.

More Alike Than Different

This experiment shows that rats aren't so different from us. Having something fun to look forward to can have real positive impacts on mental health—for both rats and humans.

The study serves as a reminder to make time for activities we enjoy. If tiny rats can find joy in driving little cars, maybe we should all take inspiration and plan more activities that bring us happiness.

So consider this your sign to finally book that thing you've been wanting to do. And if anyone asks why, just tell them you were inspired by rats who love to drive cars.