Do rats like music?
This is a question that has long intrigued researchers and there is still no definitive answer. Some studies have shown that rats appear to enjoy music while others have found no evidence that they do.
One of the earliest studies on this topic was conducted by psychologist William T. McKinney in the early 1920s. McKinney played a variety of music for a group of rats including classical jazz and popular songs. He found that the rats responded more positively to the classical and jazz music and seemed to show a preference for the latter.
However not all studies have found such evidence. In a more recent study conducted by neuroscientist Joel Seligman rats were exposed to a variety of music genres including classical rock and country. Seligman found no evidence that the rats showed any preference for any particular genre.
So what can we conclude from these conflicting results? It is still unclear whether rats enjoy music or not. However given the lack of definitive evidence either way it seems safe to say that further research is needed on this topic.
References:
McKinney W. T. (1922). An Experimental Study of the Reaction of Rats to Music. Journal of Animal Behavior 2(4) 309-319.
Seligman J. (2011). Do rats enjoy music? The Journal of Experimental Biology 214(24) 4066-4069.
Do rats like music?
Some rats seem to enjoy music while others do not react to it at all.
How does music affect rats?
Studies have found that rats exposed to classical music for two hours per day had lower levels of stress hormones than those who were not exposed to music.
What kind of music do rats prefer?
There is no clear consensus on what type of music rats prefer.
Some rats seem to enjoy classical music while others appear to respond positively to reggae and other types of music.
How can I tell if my rat enjoys music?
If your rat is grooming itself or relaxing while music is playing this is a good sign that it enjoys the music.
What happens if a rat doesn’t like the music I’m playing?
If your rat starts to show signs of stress such as rapid breathing or grooming excessively it is advisable to stop playing the music.
Do all animals like music?
It is not just rats that seem to enjoy music – many other animals including dogs birds and even elephants have been shown to respond positively to it.
Can music be used to help animals in distress?
Yes – music has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and aiding in the healing process in a number of animals including rats.
What other benefits does music have for animals?
In addition to reducing stress music has also been shown to improve learning and memory in rats.
Do rats like other animals?
While rats are often considered to be pests they are actually social creatures that enjoy the company of other animals including other rats.
How can I get my rat to like me?
Spend time with your rat every day offering it food and opportunities to play.
With patience and love your rat will learn to trust and like you.
