A shoe in for next years IgNobles.?

[DoctorStrangelove]

Shoo-in.

[BrilloPad]

They used to train ferrets to pull cables through narrow gaps and tunnels. Sounds like one could do the same with rats.

(Rats can also be trained to sniff out mines in minefields.)

My sister had apet rat. Highly intelligent.

It escaped one day. 24 hours later it was found on the doorstep. It knew where it was better off.

[greenlake]

Rats can also be trained to sniff out mines in minefields.

http://www.apopo.org

[OwlHoot]

They used to train ferrets to pull cables through narrow gaps and tunnels. Sounds like one could do the same with rats.

(Rats can also be trained to sniff out mines in minefields.)

[BrilloPad]

Darwin candidate: -

US hunter killed by deer he thought he had just shot dead - BBC News

[Mordac]

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels - BBC News

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels

Learning to drive small cars helps rats feel less stressed, scientists found.
Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.
Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.
The rats were not required to take a driving test at the end of the study.

Strangely, it's the polar opposite for humans...

[ladymuck]

This is how it starts and then give it a few years we'll have sentient rats and they'll be getting payback for all those years of oppression

[BR14]

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels - BBC News

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels

Learning to drive small cars helps rats feel less stressed, scientists found.
Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.
Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.
The rats were not required to take a driving test at the end of the study.

tea, - meet keyboard.

[DaveB]

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels - BBC News

Rats taught to drive tiny cars to lower their stress levels

Learning to drive small cars helps rats feel less stressed, scientists found.
Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.
Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.
The rats were not required to take a driving test at the end of the study.