Abstract
In experiments with gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) it was shown that length of home cage residence affects the probability of foot-thumping and that foot-thumping is significantly reduced in another gerbil’s vacant home cage. General excitement or arousal seems to be the factor common to the situations in which gerbils foot-thump. Two possible functional interpretations were suggested.
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This research was supported by NSF Grant GY 5665 and a grant from The University of the South. We wish to express our appreciation to Stephen E. Glickman for his valuable assistance with the manuscript.
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Spatz, C., Granger, W.R. Foot-thumping in the gerbil: The effect of establishing a home cage1. Psychon Sci 19, 53–54 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335504
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335504