Exploring the Cognitive Complexity of Laboratory Mice

Scientists often use laboratory mice for research purposes. As it turns out, the behaviors of these small rodents can be more complex than assumed. Just because they don’t follow a command doesn’t mean they don’t understand it.

[Photo: Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons]

Mice are almost everywhere: in abandoned buildings, at metro stations, and some even keep them as pets. These rodents have also found application in science, as they are used as laboratory animals. Why do researchers choose mice for numerous experiments? They chose them for a simple reason: these little creatures are easily motivated to perform simple tasks in exchange for, for example, a bit of food.

Laboratory mice surprised scientists

However, there are times when mice behave contrary to the expectations of scientists and fail to perform the tasks assigned to them, such as navigating a maze or pressing a specific switch. Until now…