Star Wars: Like Jedi, These Rats Know How to Use the Force

Any self-respecting Star Wars fan is bound to know the concept of the Force. Imagined by George Lucas, the creator of the film license, it seems that this energy doesn't just exist in a galaxy far, far away…

The Force, a concept present beyond from the galaxy far, far away

Whether or not you are a fan of the Star Wars universe, you have heard the term Force at least once in your life. In the license created by George Lucas, it is an energy field that applies to all living beings and those around them. Depending on the sensitivity of beings to the Force, they can have more or less powerful powers. Among them, the possibility of acquiring telekinetic powers allowing one to move a simple fruit like Anakin Skywalker in Episode II or a starfighter like Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

If you ever thought that this concept of the Force was only reserved for the movies, think again! A recent study shows that an animal species is able to control it, and this, in our universe.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Jedi rats soon in Star Wars?

Indeed, researchers were able to highlight the fact that rats had the ability to move the matter around themand this, without needing to be in direct contact. Yes, you read that right, Jedi rats exist!

If scientists have managed to make this discovery, it is simply because they knew that these rodents had a certain way of exploring their environment. The researchers assumed that rats touch surfaces with their whiskers and sniff to detect odors. But they wondered why they sniffed after making a sound.

The answer to this question can be found in a study published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews in which we learn that the “ultrasonic vocalizations” of rats “affect the smell of rodents by modifying the deposit of inhaled particles“. If you haven't understood, our colleagues at Phonandroid explain that “the sound produced by the rat moves the matter around it, altering what it will smell“.

If the rat acts in this way, it is in order to improve its reception of pheromones, these volatile substances that are secreted by living beings, particularly in insects which are generally emitted by the female to sexually attract the male.

Of course, this It's not going to be tomorrow that we'll see a rat undergoing Jedi training alongside Yoda, but for the authors of this study, this phenomenon is magical and this discovery opens many doors for research.