# If rats have such small brains, how they are so intelligent?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 10, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358 "2016-11-10T14:13:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358/21 "2016-11-11T12:46:06Z")

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> [@correlophus](#):
>
> No rabbit for example would turn belly up for fun.

Just wanted to chime in and say that pet rabbits certainly do this, usually when they are very happy or relaxed.

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**Author:** ![correlophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@correlophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/correlophus)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358/22 "2016-11-11T15:59:58Z")

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I have read it but never observed it in my own rabbit, so I concluded it was an exaggeration.

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**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358/23 "2016-11-11T16:55:21Z")

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OK - since the topic has moved to tickling, [check out this timely story!](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/science/tickling-rats-neuroscience.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront)

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**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358/24 "2016-11-11T17:51:36Z")

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> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Of course there’s somebody here who would suggest dogs are less intelligent than wolves … there’s a well received theory out there that says the domesticated dog is just a very stupid wolf … as the wild wolves raided the Cro-Magnon rubbish heaps all the smart wolves ran off while the stupid ones sat there and looked stupid … the bottom of the gene pool is who made themselves available for domestication.  
> \<snip\>

My dog would argue that with any wolf. I can hear the conversation;

Duncan; " You idiot, why don’t you just warm-up to these humans. They’ll give you everything".

Wolf; "But I have everything. Look here (turns to fan outspread paw across the horizon). I’ve got mountains, valleys, deer, elk, and clear streams from which to drink.

Duncan; “Ok, ok. But I’m sleeping inside on a comfy dog bed. I have my meals handed to me, no chase required. And I don’t have to ask the Alpha how much of the food I get today… it’s all MINE!”

Wolf; “yea, but i’ve got mountains and elk and water”

Duncan; “I had fried bacon and eggs this morning”.

Wolf; “howwwwwlllllll”.

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**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-rats-have-such-small-brains-how-they-are-so-intelligent/771358/25 "2016-11-11T19:57:57Z")

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Any time you try to compare animal intelligence, you run into the trouble of trying to define what intelligence is.

Obligatory Onion article: [Study: Dolphins Not So Intelligent On Land](http://www.theonion.com/article/study-dolphins-not-so-intelligent-on-land-1896)

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