I certainly am not surprised that some rodents have super-rodent capacities for which we have not given them proper credit... being the owner of a super-intelligent rat (and... did anyone read/see The Rats of NIMH?? or, as the book title, Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH?) I see this type of learning and memory every day- it's not just repetition, either... Rats have been shown, in other studies, to LAUGH. As in, they have senses of humor. Is that amazing??? I will try to find the study...
We need to give these guys more credit. When I was paying bills today, my rat was out and wanted to play- as I was busy, he kept walking all over the bill, sticking his nose my fingers, nudging my hands, chewing on the paper- and finally, as if he KNEW it would get my attention, galloped off with my pen-cap. They're smart little fuckers.
... i just re-read the OP... hmm maybe all I remembered about Flowers for Algernon was "mice are smart." oops. welcome to looking back on 12-yr old memories. I certainly agree that BRAINs, not just mouse-and-rat-brains, are capable of amazing things. Next time I'll read more thoroughly. (*so much for "gifted and talented...*)
Bookmarks