Dec 4, 2024 - News
Boston's nightmare: Rats with cars
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There're few ideas more apocalyptic-sounding to Bostonians than "rats that can drive."
- That's exactly what's happening in Virginia, where research lab rats have discovered a love for driving cars and revving their engines for Froot Loops.
Why it matters: University of Richmond neuroscientist Kelly Lambert and her colleagues have taught vermin how to drive and steer tiny rodent-operated vehicles by holding a gas pedal-like lever.
- Their research explores how tasks like driving can help relieve stress and possibly treat mental health conditions.
- The rats have repeatedly gone viral for it, appearing on Netflix's "The Hidden Lives of Pets," CBS This Morning and several TikTok and Instagram posts.
The latest: Now researchers are finding that not only do the rats enjoy driving to get to their Froot Loop treats — they look forward to it.
The bottom line: If this research ever expanded to Boston, we'd have several hundred thousand new single-occupancy rat cars clogging North Beacon Street and taking up all the rat parking.