Kuzko and Kronk, two clever little rats, have been trained by their owners to drive tiny electric cars — and the miniature drivers have quickly gone viral.
It might sound strange to some, but rats are incredibly intelligent animals and can make great pets. And if you have doubts, you need to meet Kuzko and Kronk, the motorized rat duo that’s charming the internet.
In an Instagram post, which has already garnered over 4 million likes, the rats’ owners explained that the idea to train them to drive actually came from a 2019 study conducted by the University of Richmond in Virginia, USA.
In the study, scientists trained rats to operate miniature cars and discovered that learning and mastering a new skill helped reduce the animals' stress hormones.
According to the post, it took just a few months of training — 5 to 10 minutes a day — for the rats to get the hang of the controls, which consist of three simple pedals that steer the car left, right, and forward.
Since receiving their little cars, Kuzko and Kronk have learned to drive, and their owners often share videos of their “joyrides” around the house. Their behind-the-wheel skills have impressed internet users so much that some are now even considering getting pet rats themselves.
