The influence of artificial paths and landmarks on the foraging behavior of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

In two experiments, we explored how the foraging behavior of Norway rats was influenced by different arrangements of artificial paths and vertical landmarks. The rats used the paths successively less for orienting to food in treatments in which paths led to food but were crooked, in which paths led only halfway to food, and in which paths were misaligned with respect to food. The arrangement of paths influenced the rats’ rate of energy intake in the beginning of the experiment, whereas the arrangement of beacons did not. With experience, the rats employed different orientation strategies in the presence of different arrangements of paths or beacons, and, by the final 4 days, all groups achieved statistically indistinguishable net rates of return. The rates of energy intake were similar because the rats in different treatments traveled similar distances per session, despite differing arrangements of paths and landmarks.