Can rats play hide-and-seek?
Behavioral and neural correlates of hide-and-seek in rats
Scientists in Berlin taught rats to play hide-and-seek with humans, and the rats turned out to be rather good at it.
Researchers taught rats to play hide-and-seek in a room full of boxes, taking turns at hiding and seeking. The only prize was a friendly tickle and some playtime with the human.
The rats learned both roles, squeaked happily while seeking, stayed silent while hiding, and preferred opaque boxes when it was their turn to hide. Some even did little jumps of joy. A natural at the game, with very sporting manners.
Ready or not, here comes the rat.