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Humans are not the only ones who help others in need—mice may do it too!
A new study from the Keck School of Medicine at USC has found that mice exhibit first aid-like behavior, helping unconscious peers recover.
The research, recently published in [Science](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677), is the first to show this type of emergency response in mice.
Scientists have long been curious about why some mammals help injured or unconscious members of their species.
According to Li Zhang, the study’s lead researcher and a professor of physiology and neuroscience, many factors influence empathy and social bonding in mammals. “But this study is the first time we’re seeing a first responder-like behavior in mice,” Zhang said.
The research shows that when a mouse sees another mouse unconscious, it reacts in surprising ways. It might gently sniff or groom the unconscious mouse, or it might take more urgent actions, like biting or pulling at its tongue. These actions seem to help the unconscious mouse recover faster.
The researchers actually discovered this behavior by accident. Wenjian Sun, the study’s first author, was observing mice in an unrelated experiment when he noticed them helping each other. “I had never seen this behavior from mice before,” he said.
Much like humans responding to an emergency, the mice instinctively check on their unconscious peer. They focus on the mouth and tongue, possibly helping to clear the airway and speed up recovery. Huizhong Tao, another researcher on the study, emphasized that this behavior is not aggressive. The mice were much more likely to help familiar partners, and they did not show the same response when their partner was simply sleeping.
The study also looked at the brain activity behind this behavior. Using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers found that oxytocin—a hormone often called the “love hormone”—played a key role. Oxytocin is known to promote bonding, trust, and social behavior in many animals, including humans. Zhang believes this study is the first to show that oxytocin may also influence rescue behaviors in mice.
The researchers plan to conduct further experiments to see if mice have even more complex responses to unconscious peers. Tao believes this discovery could help scientists better understand the biology behind empathy and prosocial behavior.
This study suggests that many social animals, including humans, may have evolved to help each other in critical situations. By doing so, they improve survival chances and strengthen social bonds. The research opens new doors to studying how and why social behaviors develop in different species.