GUINEA-PIG RESPONSES TO CONSPECIFIC VOCALIZATIONS - PLAYBACK EXPERIMENTS

Eight playback experiments are described in which guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were individually observed while a tape recording of various guinea pig vocalizations was played. The behavior of subjects was also observed in a silent control test, and in response to nonvocal sounds of varying frequencies. While vocalizations produced detectable changes in nonvocal behavior in virgin females, lactating females and infants, only lactating females vocalized in response to certain of the infants'' calls. No preference for calls of females'' own infants was observed. Unlike virgin females, lactating females show an increased sensitivity to infants'' calls over those of other adults. Infants responded to all vocal playbacks in a similar manner, but appeared to distinguish vocal from nonvocal sounds.