Shredding of Nesting Material in the Mongolian Gerbil

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine whether the stereotyped shredding of nesting material by the Mongolian gerbil ( Meriones unguiculatus) is influenced by sex of S, accumulation of shredded material, or the thickness of paper provided for shredding. The first two variables did not significantly affect shredding behavior in our tests. However, in an acceptance-rejection situation, Ss showed an orderly preference for papers of increasing thickness.