STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOR AFFECTS ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCE IN BANK VOLES, CLETHRIONOMYS-GLAREOLUS

The performance of sterotypies by caged animals may be a mechanism for coping with unfavourable conditions. This hypothesis was investigated in two experiments where voles were given a choice between a barren and an enriched environment in a simple preference test. In experiment 1, three out of eight voles developed stereotypies. These voles decreased their preference for the enriched environment once stereotypies had developed. In experiment 2, nine out of 16 voles developed stereotypies. Again, the development of stereotypies was associated with a decrease in preference for the enriched environment, whereas there was no change in the preference of non-stereotypic voles. The performance of stereotypies may be associated with a change in perception. Such a change may allow voles to cope with aversive conditions. © 1991.