Rat Utopia
What does a utopia look like for rats? You could probably deduce that it might include limitless food and multiple secluded little rodent spaces. These were all part of John Calhoun’s experiments to study the effects of overpopulation on patterns of behavior. However, what seemed like a utopia shifted into a highly imbalanced rat society.
The experiment unfolded as follows: food, comfort and housing were provided for a population of over 3000 rats. The experiment aimed at simulating the present situation of the expanding population of humans. The population of the rats doubled every 60 days, or what Dr. Calhoun called the ‘exploit’ phase in the experiment.
The use and consumption of resources became unequal although each living unit was identical in structure and opportunities. Some areas in the utopia consumed more food and water than other areas. As the population increased, most rats associated food and water with the presence of other fellow rats and thus crowding developed in certain units of the utopia.
As the population continued growing, some unusual behavior surfaced and became noticeable. Behavioral patterns depicted and high levels of violence became prevalent. Excess males strived for acceptance, were rejected, withdrew and became outcasts. Huddling together, they exhibited brief outbursts of violence amongst each other. As outcasts, they would only appear to eat, drink, and move around the enclosure when the rest of the members of the community were asleep. The social organization of the rats showed equal disruption in a myriad of behavioral patterns.
The effects of violence became increasingly discernable and certain rats became targets of repeated attacks. Other rats growing into adulthood exhibited a different type of behavior. Dubbed as “the beautiful ones”, Dr. Calhoun observed how they spent most of their time grooming themselves, eating, and sleeping. They never involved themselves with others nor fought with them. A social class, one would presume, that distanced itself from the rest of the population.
Dr. Calhoun called the last phase of his experiment the ‘die’ phase, referring to the extensive decrease in the population which eventually lead them into their own extinction. Even though the rat utopia could house 3000 rats, the population began to decline at 2200.
Dr. Calhoun concluded that the rats could not effectively deal with so many individuals in one secluded space. The evidence of violence increased to the point where most mice had gnawed up tails and increased incidents of cannibalism were observed. Eventually, the entire rat population perished. He concluded that overpopulation breeds a breakdown in social functions which leads to extinction.
Dr. Calhoun’s experiment was a classic example of a typical population and its growth to imminent death if left unchecked. One could argue that this experiment serves as a microcosmic representation of the very planet that we live on. Everywhere seems a bit too crowded now and the human population is only increasing in number.
Like all populations that have ever existed, many researchers believe that the human race has reached a fundamental point in the ‘exploit phase’. Important decisions must be made, and planning must be implemented to ensure a healthy progression into growth in population.
The study of plant and animal population helps us make decisions about the future of our own human population, so that we may sustain our own balance with nature. This microcosmic representation of the human population portrayed the usual cycle of turning a paradise into a dystopia. Humans could observe the retroactive effect that they have over the environment as we increase in population. Increasing population leads to a staggering increase in consumption of resources, and without any abundant replacements, we’re wearing down our own utopia to no end and working our way towards extinction.