Abstract
In an effort to establish the adaptive significance of their aversion to feed on dead adult conspecifics, Norway rats were reared from birth on commercial lab chow or on dead adult conspecifics (n = 12 males and 18 females per group). At 12 weeks of age, those reared on lab chow weighed reliably more (p <.01) than those reared on conspecific carcasses. The difference in weight between the two groups (5.4%) was equivalent to 1 week’s growth in rats 10-12 weeks old. Those reared on lab chow also drank reliably more water (p <.001). Females reared on conspecific carcasses produced reliably fewer pups per litter (p <.002); otherwise, their maternal behavior was normal. These findings cast doubt on two hypotheses: (1) Hungry rats commonly reject conspecific flesh as food because it is nutritionally inadequate, and (2) feeding on dead conspecifics potentiates preying on live ones.
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Carr, W. J., Dissinger, M. L., & Scannapieco, M. R. The stimulus-basis of a natural food aversion in Norway rats. Manuscript submitted for publication, 1981. (Available from W. J. Carr, Department of Psychology, Beaver College, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038.)
Carr, W. J., Bell, A., Messori, E., & Erlichman, T. Feeding on conspecific neonates: The effects ofprevious social experience. Unpublished manuscript, 1981. (Available from W. J. Carr, Department of Psychology, Beaver College, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038.)
Carr, W. J., Choi, S. Y., Sterling, M. H., Arnholt, E., & DeMarco, A. The effect of diet on a natural food aversion in Norway rats. Unpublished manuscript, 1981. (Available from W. J. Carr, Department of Psychology, Beaver College, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038.)
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Carr, W.J., Landauer, M.R. Growth rate and behavior of Norway rats reared on conspecific flesh. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 18, 224–226 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333610
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03333610