Original photo by Argument/ iStock
The next time you get cut off in traffic, think twice before honking — the other driver could be none other than a tiny rat. Well, not really, but scientists have trained them to drive cars — and if the adorable videos are any indication, the rodents seem to love it.
The pint-sized vehicles aren’t Fords or Hondas but rather custom-made cars made of plastic cereal containers and small wires. Though the rats were originally motivated to get behind the wheel by the promise of Froot Loops, scientists were surprised (and, one assumes, delighted) to discover the creatures loved going for joy rides.
This was confirmed when two of three rats at Virginia’s University of Richmond chose the scenic route rather than driving directly toward their precious Froot Loops. “Rather than pushing buttons for instant rewards, they remind us that planning, anticipating and enjoying the ride may be key to a healthy brain,” wrote Kelly Lambert, a professor of behavioral neuroscience who took part in the research, in a reflection on the study for the BBC. “That’s a lesson my lab rats have taught me well.” It’s a welcome reminder that sometimes it really is about the journey, not the destination.
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A group of rats is called a ______.
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A group of rats is called a mischief.
The land speed record hasn’t been broken since 1997.
On October 15, 1997, British Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green set a new world record by driving the Thrust SuperSonic Car at a speed of 763.035 mph — the first and only time a land vehicle has broken the sound barrier. The previous record of 633.47 mph, which was set by a Scottish entrepreneur named Richard Noble, had stood for 14 years.
Despite significant technological advances and many attempts over the years since 1997, Green’s record has stood the test of time. Building a vehicle that can reach such speeds is as expensive as it is dangerous, with the current land speed record for a woman having been set by a driver who died in the process. Other efforts have run out of funding, meaning Green’s record isn’t likely to be broken anytime soon.
Michael Nordine is a writer and editor living in Denver. A native Angeleno, he has two cats and wishes he had more.
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