I’m a neuroscientist who taught rats to drive − their joy suggests how anticipating fun can enrich human life

By: Kelly Lambert, University of Richmond, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 22, 2025

Words: 1,628

Last Updated: 2 days, 17 hours ago

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By Kelly Lambert, University of Richmond

We crafted our first rodent car from a plastic cereal container. After trial and error, my colleagues and I found that rats could learn to drive forward by grasping a small wire that acted like a gas pedal. Before long, they were steering with surprising precision to reach a Froot Loop treat.

As expected, rats housed in enriched environments – complete with toys, space and companions – learned to …

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