Mouse-to-Mouse Resuscitation: Rodents Try to Revive Unconscious Buddies
Briefly

Recent research reveals that mice may exhibit behaviors similar to CPR when they encounter unconscious peers, raising questions about animal instincts and empathy. Observations showed that a mouse would sniff, groom, and attempt to clear the airway of an unconscious companion—mirroring human first aid. Led by Li Zhang at USC, the study highlights a unique dimension of social behavior in animals, previously unexplored in detail, echoing anecdotes of altruism in other species like elephants and dolphins. The findings suggest deeper evolutionary traits related to social interactions among animals.
When a mouse encounters an unconscious partner, it exhibits behaviors that resemble CPR, attempting to revive it through grooming and airway-clearing actions.
This accidental observation opens a new window into how certain animals respond in emergencies and offers insights into the evolution of social behaviors.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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