Mice Provide First Aid to Unconscious Friends

Researchers have made some surprising discoveries about the behavior of mice in laboratory settings. When a young mouse finds another mouse lying still and unresponsive, it often tries to help its friend. The young mouse might poke at it, nibble on its nose, or even pull its tongue to the side.

Li Zhang, a scientist at the University of Southern California, along with his team, has been studying these interactions among mice. They recorded videos to observe how mice react when they encounter a familiar cage mate that has been put under anesthesia and is not moving.

According to Zhang, the process usually starts with sniffing, followed by grooming, and then turns into more direct physical interaction. For instance, the mice were seen grooming and nibbling, with some specifically focusing on the unmoving mouse’s mouth area, attempting to pull its tongue out to ensure it could breathe. Interestingly, these same behaviors were observed in mice when interacting with companions that had died.

The researchers noted that these types of rescue efforts diminished once the motionless mouse woke up and began moving again. They also discovered that mice showed more concern for a familiar, unresponsive peer than for an unfamiliar one. This indicates that recognizing and having a prior relationship with the other mouse plays a role in these helpful actions.

Similar caring behaviors have been observed in larger mammals as well, such as dolphins, elephants, and chimpanzees, who are known to assist distressed members of their group. Dolphins have been seen leading injured companions to the surface for air, while elephants are known to help wounded relatives. These examples suggest that offering help may not just be a human trait but a behavior observed across many species.

Studying mice in their natural habitat poses challenges, as they tend to hide and disperse quickly when they sense danger. This makes it hard for scientists to observe their helping behaviors outside controlled environments.

The actions of the mice appear to be connected to the hormone oxytocin, which is linked to bonding and social interactions in various species. New findings indicate that when mice recognized a cage mate in distress, certain neurons in their brains that release oxytocin became active. This suggests that oxytocin might play a significant role in promoting these nurturing behaviors. Notably, when these neuronal signals were blocked, the mice’s attempts to assist significantly decreased, implying their importance.

The researchers believe that these behaviors may help maintain social groups and enhance overall survival. Young mice that engaged in supportive actions saw their unmoving partners recover more quickly than those who did not respond. Such small differences can impact how groups function in the wild, where quick decisions can mean life or death.

While researchers advise caution in interpreting these results as purely altruistic, the lab findings suggest that even small animals like mice may care about their companions more than previously thought.

The study highlights the significance of social bonds in a variety of animals, not just in terms of nurturing but also for group survival. The presence of oxytocin across many vertebrae species suggests that this hormone may underlie an innate response to help fellow group members who are in trouble.

Future research will aim to see if different strains of mice display variations in these caregiving behaviors and whether environmental factors like stress might influence their willingness to assist a fellow mouse in distress. This study reveals an important insight into the caring instincts present even in small creatures, opening the door for further exploration into the social behaviors of various animal species.