Rats emit ultrasonic giggling sounds when they are being tickled by researchers, revealing that these notoriously hated rodents actually possess a very rudimentary sense of joy and playfulness.

A closer look

Rats emit ultrasonic giggling sounds when they are being tickled by researchers, revealing that these notoriously hated rodents actually possess a very rudimentary sense of joy and playfulness. Scientists had to invent special acoustic equipment just to hear these high-frequency chuckles, meaning a significant amount of highly advanced technology was developed solely to tickle sewer pests in a laboratory setting. It is incredibly sobering to realize the animal responsible for carrying the bubonic plague and historically wiping out a third of medieval Europe just wants someone to playfully rub its tiny belly. Of course, they still leave incredibly toxic droppings everywhere and will absolutely chew right through your expensive internet cables, but at least they have a healthy sense of humor about destroying your livelihood