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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response

Published on: November 12, 2014

Swimming-based pica in rats.

Sadahiko Nakajima¹

¹Department of Psychological Science, Kwansei Gakuin University, Nishinomiya, 662-8501, Japan.

Behavioural Processes

|July 3, 2016

Summary

Swimming and running induce nausea in rats, leading to pica behavior (kaolin clay intake). This suggests physical activity can cause nausea, a finding supported by kaolin intake measurements in rodent studies.

Area of Science:

Animal Behavior
Physiology
Neuroscience

Background:

Previous research demonstrated that voluntary or forced running induces pica behavior in rats.
Pica behavior, specifically kaolin clay intake, is a recognized indicator of nausea in rodent models.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether swimming, another form of physical activity, also induces pica behavior in rats.
To differentiate the effects of swimming from non-immersive water exposure (showering) on pica behavior.

Main Methods:

Rats were subjected to a single 40-minute swimming session in water.
A control group of rats received a shower with water.
Kaolin clay intake was measured as an indicator of pica behavior and nausea.

Keywords:

Kaolin Nausea Pica Rats Swimming

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Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

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Main Results:

A 40-minute swimming session significantly induced pica behavior in rats.
Showering rats with water did not result in pica behavior.
The findings suggest a link between swimming and nausea induction.

Conclusions:

Swimming activity, similar to running, can induce nausea in rats as evidenced by kaolin intake.
This study expands the understanding of physical activity-induced nausea in animal models.
The results highlight the potential of swimming as a model for studying nausea.