BBC Winterwatch recently showcased a unique study led by Prof. Joke Meijer, head of the BioClock Consortium. The research from 2014 revealed that wild mice — and even other small animals — voluntarily use running wheels placed in their natural environment. These findings challenge the idea that wheel running is merely a behavior caused by captivity and instead reveal it as a natural, self‑motivated activity.
On the program, the Winterwatch team even recreated the scientific setup, placing both a large and a small running wheel out in the woodlands. While the animals are still somewhat hesitant, the Winterwatch wildlife cameras have already spotted some interactions with the wheels from both mice and other (larger) animals.
Although this project is not directly part of the BioClock program, it beautifully reflects our mission to understand biological rhythms and behavior in real life. We are proud to see our scientific lead’s work inspiring audiences across the UK and beyond.
