From the New York Times’ Evening Briefing:
| ____ |
Shimpei Ishiyama & Michael Brech |
| 9. Finally, rats are ticklish. That’s what some accomplished researchers have determined. |
| The rats really seemed to like it. They sought out the researchers’ hands, made joyful leaps and emitted some ultrasonic calls considered to be their equivalent of laughter. |
| The purpose was actually quite serious: to learn why we evolved to be ticklish. It may be a “trick of the brain to make animals or humans play or interact in a fun way,” said one researcher. |