An investigation of playful behaviour in Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus (Mammalia)

Abstract

The playful behaviour of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) was investigated in litters of five individuals with the mother present; parallel observations were made on mice (Mus musculus). Seven mixed litters containing four young rats and a young mouse fostered at birth were also observed. Solitary play was recorded in both species and took a similar form but social play was only observed in rats. In rats, solitary play frequently preceeded social play. The behavioural elements involved in the social play of Rattus norvegicus were described, and the majority of these were the playful equivalent of adult agonistic behaviour elements. These social play elements were found to be organized into definite sequences which differed from those of adult aggression. Each behavioural element was found to act as a social releaser. Young mice did not respond playfully to social play from a rat litter mate; mice were less attractive to rats as playmates in comparison with fellow rats.

Methylphenidate Disrupts Social Play Behavior in Adolescent Rats

“…From this position, the supine animal can initiate another bout of play, by trying to gain access to the other animal's neck. Thus, during social play, pinning, which is considered to be the most obvious posture in social play behavior in rats, is not an end point, but rather functions as a releaser of a prolonged play bout (Poole and Fish, 1975;Panksepp et al, 1984;Pellis and Pellis, 1987;Pellis, 1988). The animal that is pounced upon can also respond by evading, or by turning around to face the other animal.…”

Social Play Behavior in Adolescent Rats is Mediated by Functional Activity in Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Striatum

“…The structure of social play behavior in rats has been previously described in detail (Baenninger, 1967;Bolles and Woods, 1964;Panksepp and Beatty, 1980;Pellis and Pellis, 1987;Pellis et al, 1989;Poole and Fish, 1975; for reviews, see Panksepp et al, 1984;Pellis and Pellis, 1998;Trezza et al, 2010;Vanderschuren et al, 1997). In rats, a bout of social play behavior starts with one rat soliciting ('pouncing') another animal, by attempting to nose or rub the nape of its neck.…”

“…From this position, the supine animal can initiate another play bout, by trying to gain access to the other animal's neck. Thus, during social play, pouncing is considered an index of play solicitation, while pinning functions as a releaser of a prolonged play bout (Panksepp and Beatty, 1980;Pellis and Pellis, 1987;Pellis et al, 1989;Poole and Fish, 1975). Pinning and pouncing frequencies can be easily quantified and are considered the most characteristic parameters of social play behavior in rats (Panksepp and Beatty, 1980).…”

Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine Inhibit Social Play Behavior through Prefrontal and Subcortical Limbic Mechanisms in Rats

“…The behavior of the rats was assessed using Observer 5.1 software (Noldus Information Technology). The structure of social play behavior in rats has been described previously in detail ( Bolles and Woods, 1964;Baenninger, 1967;Poole and Fish, 1975;Panksepp and Beatty, 1980;Pellis and Pellis, 1987;Pellis et al, 1989, for reviews see Panksepp et al, 1984;Pellis and Pellis, 1998;Trezza et al, 2010). In rats, a bout of social play behavior starts with one rat soliciting ("pouncing") another animal by attempting to nose or rub the nape of its neck.…”

“…From this position, the supine animal can initiate another play bout by trying to gain access to the other animal's neck. Therefore, during social play, pouncing is considered an index of play solicitation and pinning can be regarded as the terminal component of a single play bout as well as a releaser of a prolonged play bout (Poole and Fish, 1975;Panksepp and Beatty, 1980;Pellis and Pellis, 1987;Pellis et al, 1989). Pinning and pouncing frequencies can be easily quantified and are considered the most characteristic parameters of social play behavior in rats ( Panksepp and Beatty, 1980).…”