Comparative Analysis of Tickling and Conspecific Play in Tame Mice and Golden Hamsters

Abstract

Social play behavior is a fundamental aspect of animal interaction, shaping social bonds and enhancing cognitive capacity. While studies on human-animal play interactions have primarily focused on a few selected species, research on rodents beyond rats remains scarce. We, therefore, addressed the dynamics of social play in tame mice, selectively bred to approach human hands, and golden hamsters, comparing their responses during interactions with humans and conspecifics. Tame mice exhibited heightened playfulness with humans, marked by increased vocalizations and chasing behavior, in addition to increased interactions with tame conspecifics compared to unselected control mice. Hamsters demonstrated a stronger inclination towards conspecific interactions. Notably, vocalization patterns varied between heterospecific and conspecific engagement in both species, suggesting context-dependent communication. These findings offer insights into the evolutionary basis influencing social play across species with differing social structures. Understanding these mechanisms enriches our comprehension of the diverse pathways through which animals form social bonds.