Evidence for color vision in the prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

Abstract

An experiment was performed to determine whether prairie dogs could use color information. By means of a WGTA four prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) were presented with two-choice color discrimination problems. Criterion for learning was set at 90% correct responses. Results indicate that some discriminations were learned more quickly than others, but criterion was reached on all possible combinations of red, yellow, blue, and green hues when brightness was irrelevant, indicating good color vision for this species.