How do rats drink from water bottles? - briefly
Rats locate the water by touching the bottle’s spout with their whiskers and then tip the bottle with their forepaws. They draw fluid by rapidly flicking their tongues against the spout, creating a steady stream into their mouths.
How do rats drink from water bottles? - in detail
Rats obtain liquid from bottle‑type dispensers by inserting their snout into the narrow sipper tube, positioning the tongue against the inner wall, and creating negative pressure through rapid tongue retraction. The tube typically contains a small stainless‑steel ball that seals the opening when the animal withdraws, preventing leakage.
The drinking sequence proceeds as follows:
- The rat approaches the bottle and lightly contacts the tube with its whiskers, locating the opening.
- The animal extends its tongue, which is covered with papillae that increase surface friction and aid in forming a seal against the tube wall.
- A swift upward pull of the tongue generates suction, drawing water up the tube and into the oral cavity.
- The tongue retracts, the ball valve snaps shut, and the rat swallows the acquired volume.
- The cycle repeats until the rat’s hydration need is satisfied.
Key anatomical features support this behavior. The tongue’s muscular fibers allow rapid protrusion and retraction, while the papillae provide the grip necessary for an airtight seal. The incisors enable the rat to gnaw any obstructive material on the tube, ensuring continuous access.
Laboratory observations show that a typical adult rat consumes 20–30 ml of water per day, achieved through dozens of short drinking bouts lasting 1–3 seconds each. The efficiency of the sipper system minimizes spillage and maintains a sterile water source, which is essential for the health of research colonies.