Play, variation in play and the development of socially competent rats
Abstract
Studies on laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) have revealed that experience with social play in the juvenile period is important for the development of improved social skills, an improvement that appears to be mediated by the prefrontal cortex. But there is much variation in both the frequency with which play occurs and in the complexity of the actions performed among different strains of rats. Is all this variation adaptive in serving play’s critical developmental role? The integrative approach advocated by Tinbergen provides a framework with which to assess such variation. A review of what is known and the inclusion of some novel data suggest that irrespective of the form of the play, rats of all strains converge on the same key experiences, experiences that have been implicated in the development of social skills. The lessons learnt from rats may serve as a guide for broader cross-species comparisons.
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The social context in which rats are reared is particularly important, as sex differences are most apparent when the rats are reared in mixed-sex groups.
“The social context in which rats are reared seems to be particularly important, as sex differences are most apparent when the rats are reared in mixed‐sex groups (for a review, see S. M. Himmler et al. 2016).”
From Partner Choice and Context‐Dependent Sex Differences in Rat Rough‐and‐Tumble Play (2026) · cites this paper as S. M. Himmler et al. 2016
Attack and defense during rough-and-tumble play tend to involve independent mechanisms.
“For instance, attack and defense during RTP tend to involve independent mechanisms (Himmler et al., 2016).”
From The rough-and-tumble play of rats as a natural behavior suitable for studying the social brain (2022) · cites this paper as Himmler et al., 2016
There are differences across rat strains in the relative frequency of nape attacks and in the use of defensive tactics that lead to evading contact or promoting close-quarter wrestling.
“Similarly, there are differences across strains in the relative frequency of nape attacks and in the use of defensive tactics that lead to evading contact or promoting close-quarter wrestling (Himmler et al., 2016).”
From The rough-and-tumble play of rats as a natural behavior suitable for studying the social brain (2022) · cites this paper as Himmler et al., 2016
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Burke, A. R., McCormick, C. M., Pellis, S. M., & Lukkes, J. L. (2017) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.018 · Cited by 225 · see citing works
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“Similarly, there are differences across strains in the relative frequency of nape attacks and in the use of defensive tactics that lead to evading contact or promoting close-quarter wrestling (Himmler et al., 2016).”
BackgroundSelf-citationWhat do you hear what do you say? Ultrasonic calls as signals during play fighting in rats
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Self-citationPinning in the Play Fighting of Rats: A Comparative Perspective With Methodological Recommendations
Himmler, S. M., Himmler, B. T., Stryjek, R., Modlińska, K., Pisula, W., & Pellis, S. M. (2016) · International Journal of Comparative Psychology · doi:10.46867/ijcp.2016.29.00.06 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
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Partner Choice and Context‐Dependent Sex Differences in Rat Rough‐and‐Tumble Play
Ham, J. R., Pellis, S. M., & McDonald, R. J. (2026) · European Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1111/ejn.70426 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“The social context in which rats are reared seems to be particularly important, as sex differences are most apparent when the rats are reared in mixed-sex groups (for a review, see S. M. Himmler et al. 2016).”
Self-citationHam, J. R., Iwaniuk, A. N., & Pellis, S. M. (2026) · Behavioural Brain Research · doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2026.116198 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Himmler, S. M., Himmler, B. T., Pellis, V. C., & Pellis, S. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Lethbridge (CA)
- Venue
- Behaviour
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2016
- Volume
- 153
- Issue
- 9-11
- Pages
- 1103-1137
- ISSN
- 0005-7959 (ISSN-L)
- 1568-539X
- OpenAlex
- W1127676024
- Cited by
- 57
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3
- FWCI
- 10.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behaviour (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Keywords
- social play, rats, social competence, social skills development, prefrontal cortex, strain differences, integrated approach, Tinbergen, juvenile development, cross-species comparison
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