* Rats are social animals: They live in colonies and generally have complex social structures. They often show care for their young and injured members.
* Competition for resources: In crowded or resource-limited environments, competition can lead to aggression. An injured rat might be seen as a threat to a healthy rat's access to food, water, or shelter.
* Individual personalities: Just like humans, rats have individual personalities. Some may be more compassionate and protective, while others might be more aggressive.
In general:
* If the injured rat is a colony member: There's a higher chance of the other rats showing compassion and care. They might even help it find food and water, or protect it from predators.
* If the injured rat is a stranger: The other rat might be more likely to avoid it or even attack it.
Important factors:
* Severity of injury: A severely injured rat might be perceived as a threat and attacked.
* Age and sex: Young rats and females tend to be more compassionate.
* Availability of resources: If there's enough food and shelter for all, aggression is less likely.
Ultimately, it's impossible to know for sure whether a rat will hurt an injured one without observing the specific situation.