Counting rat
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Counting rat
I've done a post before about Ishy hoarding food but it seems he has a method as well.
He hides the shredded wheats first - takes them all out of the bowl, sifting through the other stuff to find them and takes them to his hiding places ie the tunnel, the litter tray and the castle. I was watching him the other day and he took 2 to the tunnel, then 3 to the castle. then another one back to the tunnel so there were 3 in each before he settled down and started eating them. It could be pure coincidence but I know it's been proved before that some animals can count and to me this seems like it shows basic numeracy skills! (about the same level as my own ). I know to a lot of owners they probably already know their ratties are this clever, as do I, but still when you really think about it from a behaviour point of view it's mindblowing.
I tried to catch him doing it again yesterday but he took them all into the litter tray and today I didn't have time to stay after I fed them but I'll try and catch it on camera
He hides the shredded wheats first - takes them all out of the bowl, sifting through the other stuff to find them and takes them to his hiding places ie the tunnel, the litter tray and the castle. I was watching him the other day and he took 2 to the tunnel, then 3 to the castle. then another one back to the tunnel so there were 3 in each before he settled down and started eating them. It could be pure coincidence but I know it's been proved before that some animals can count and to me this seems like it shows basic numeracy skills! (about the same level as my own ). I know to a lot of owners they probably already know their ratties are this clever, as do I, but still when you really think about it from a behaviour point of view it's mindblowing.
I tried to catch him doing it again yesterday but he took them all into the litter tray and today I didn't have time to stay after I fed them but I'll try and catch it on camera
katherine- Moderator
- Posts : 742
Join date : 2011-09-26
Age : 37
Location : Cork and the UK
Re: Counting rat
My girl Schuster definitely knows how to count too. When I give puppy treats she takes hers and hides in the bed. She then goes and takes everyone else's off them and puts them in the bed. She seems to know when she has all 4 and then comes to me looking for more.
redrach- Oldie
- Posts : 551
Join date : 2011-09-26
Age : 33
Location : Newtownards / Bristol.
Re: Counting rat
NIIIIICE!
katherine- Moderator
- Posts : 742
Join date : 2011-09-26
Age : 37
Location : Cork and the UK
Re: Counting rat
So cool
smokierat- Moderator
- Posts : 881
Join date : 2011-09-26
Age : 37
Location : Cork (city)
Re: Counting rat
Hehe! Sorry guys - Bongo Fury rats just aren't that bright! never seen any of mine count!
No, I agree, rats are far more intelligent than even most rat owners realise! ;D
xx
No, I agree, rats are far more intelligent than even most rat owners realise! ;D
xx
Re: Counting rat
Mine have never seemed to count either. I know rats are very intelligent, but maybe I attract the loveable eejits of the rat world.
vivree- Newbie
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2012-05-29
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