Licking Rates of Albino Rats

Abstract

Local licking rates of eight albino rats, when the rats were given tap water at the end of a short runway after 23 hours of water deprivation, averaged a little over seven licks per second. Small variations within sessions were found, rates being slightly but consistently higher at the beginning than later on in sessions. Inter-session and individual differences were also observed, but were only of theorder of one lick per second. Within practical limits, it appears that licking rates of rats are constant.