Individual and Group Hoarding in Rats

Abstract

The hoarding behavior of 7 male rats was observed over a period of 52 days. A rat had a choice of hoarding food pellets from a) a central bin, b) cages of 3 other animals, and c) both of these. In a 2d expt., 8 female rats were observed for 28 days. The authors found that some rats showed a preference for hoarding from the central bin, while others hoarded more from the cages of other rats. In time some rats reversed their preference. "The occurrence of intercage-hoarding and the lack of resistance by the rats whose hoards were stolen are interpreted as evidence supporting the hypothesis that the goal of hoarding behavior is the hoarding activity itself rather than the results of such activity.".