Abstract

MARTINEZ, Raquel  and  MORATO, Silvio. Thigmotaxis and exploration in adult and pup rats. Rev. etol. [online]. 2004, vol.6, n.1, pp. 49-54. ISSN 1517-2805.

Rats tend to investigate novel environments and objects present in such environments. Exploratory behavior seems to be limited by thigmotaxis, a tendency to remain close to vertical surfaces the probable function of which is to protect rats from predation. Our studies show that the more circumscribed the place, the stronger the attraction it exerts. They also show that thigmotaxis is a very strong response either in individual or grouped rats. Motivation to explore a novel environment appears around the 21^st day of life, three or four days after the rats' eyes open, but even at this early age, pups are responsive to thigmotaxis stimuli. Thigmotaxis may thus be an important defensive mechanism which appears precociously in rat development.

Keywords : Exploratory behavior; Anxiety; Thigmotaxis; Open-field; Rats.

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