Rats
Play is crucial to the social development of mammals. Morell found that out when she visited the laughing rats at Jaak Panksepp’s Washington lab. If you keep a rat isolated from its friends, it won’t grow into a well-adjusted adult. Playtime is so important that it even affects future relationships.
Morell cites one researcher who says rats know the difference between good sex and bad. It may be the case, Morell adds, that the most play-experienced rats are also the best in the sack. So ditch the video game and go run around outside, kids.
Photo: surprise truck/Flickr.
