The new object reaction of Rattus rattus L.: the relative importance of various cues

摘要: Two experiments examined the importance of various factors in avoidance (“new object reaction”) “wild” Rattus rattus towards unfamiliar objects. Rats did not avoid objects a residential environment (“plus-maze”) if were present when rats first introduced; but such evoke new reaction introduced after had adapted to their environment. A second experiment tested home cages. Changing familiar food basket, either by replacing it with one different construction or moving an position, evoked marked reaction. Altering smell basket washing offering avoidance. New R. is elicited contrast between configuration and background against which presented. Detection change was, experiments, probably vision; odors evidently little effect. The findings on behavior resemble closely similar observations commensal norvegicus.