A recent study has overruled the long held belief of some people about rats being a greedy and malicious creature. According to the study, rats are compassionate towards their peers.

The study was conducted by the researchers of the Chicago University, who conducted a variety of tests over rats in the laboratory to gauge their nature and behavior. The study was mainly over two rats. One of them was allowed to roam free however the other one was confined in a tint cage.

Throughout the study, the free rat tried to free his agonized companion from the cage. Several trails were conducted and it was found that in all the trails the free rat has tried to free his companion. The findings of the study have been published in the journal Science. It is for the very first time when a study has showed empathy among rats.

Commenting upon the findings of the study, Jean Decety from Chicago University said, “There are a lot of ideas in the literature showing that empathy is not unique to humans, and it has been well demonstrated in apes, but in rodents it was not very clear”.

The researchers have proposed of conducting further studies to understand the behaviour of the rats. It has been informed that during the study, a chocolate chip was placed in the room along with the caged rat. It was found that in some instances the freed rat consumed chocolate first and then helped its companion is coming out from the cage.

However, in other incidents, the free rat didn’t consume the chocolate and went straight way for freeing its distressed companion. It is hoped that the findings of the study would help in changing the perspective of people regarding rats.