How did a rat carry money? - briefly
The rodent was equipped with a tiny leather pouch fastened to its collar, allowing it to conceal banknotes while navigating the tunnels. This arrangement enabled discreet transport of cash without attracting attention.
How did a rat carry money? - in detail
The rodent was equipped with a miniature carrier designed to hold small denominations. The carrier consisted of a lightweight fabric pouch sewn onto a soft harness that fit snugly around the animal’s torso without restricting movement. The pouch opening faced upward, allowing easy placement of coins or folded bills.
Training began with positive reinforcement. A small food reward was given each time the rat entered a designated tunnel while wearing the harness. Gradually, the reward was paired with the presence of a coin placed in the pouch, establishing an association between the task and a treat. After several sessions, the rat reliably moved through the tunnel while the pouch remained closed.
Operational procedure:
- Position the rat at the start point of the transport route.
- Insert the required amount of cash into the pouch, ensuring it is sealed.
- Release the animal; it proceeds along a pre‑trained path, typically a narrow conduit or a series of short gaps.
- At the destination, a sensor detects the arrival and triggers a gentle vibration that prompts the rat to pause.
- An operator removes the pouch and returns the rat to its holding area.
Safety measures included regular inspection of the harness for wear, monitoring the animal’s health, and limiting the weight of the cargo to no more than 5 % of the rat’s body mass. The system proved effective for moving low‑value items across confined spaces where larger conveyance methods were impractical.